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Insight MyanmarInterviews Exploring Myanmar's Quest for Democracy and the Depth of Its Spiritual Traditions Author: Insight Myanmar Podcast
Insight Myanmar is a beacon for those seeking to understand the intricate dynamics of Myanmar. With a commitment to uncovering truth and fostering understanding, the podcast brings together activists, artists, leaders, monastics, and authors to share their first-hand experiences and insights. Each episode delves deep into the struggles, hopes, and resilience of the Burmese people, offering listeners a comprehensive, on-the-ground perspective of the nation's quest for democracy and freedom. And yet, Insight Myanmar is not just a platform for political discourse; it's a sanctuary for spiritual exploration. Our discussions intertwine the struggles for democracy with the deep-rooted meditation traditions of Myanmar, offering a holistic understanding of the nation. We delve into the rich spiritual heritage of the country, tracing the origins of global meditation and mindfulness movements to their roots in Burmese culture. Each episode is a journey through the vibrant landscape of Myanmar's quest for freedom, resilience, and spiritual riches. Join us on this enlightening journey as we amplify the voices that matter most in Myanmar's transformative era. Language: en Genres: Buddhism, News, News Commentary, Religion & Spirituality Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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What Remains Untreated
Episode 637
Friday, 6 November, 2026
Episode 637: Anthropologist Céline Coderey's research in Rakhine State examines why people combine biomedical treatment with astrology, Buddhist rituals, traditional medicine, and spirit healing, often pursuing several approaches even when earlier treatments fail. Drawing on fieldwork conducted between 2005 and 2020, her book The Power of Remainder explores the relationship between suffering, Buddhist cosmology, and political marginalization. The concept of remainder originates in astrological calculations that reflect the karma inherited from previous lives, believed to influence a person's circumstances and possibilities for action. Coderey extends this understanding to include unresolved illness, marginalized healing traditions, and the consequences of neglected healthcare. These limitations can also create opportunities for further treatment. One case involves Aye Tan Shin, a woman whose persistent abdominal pain led her family from a regional hospital to a monk astrologer, a divination master, and eventually an exorcist. Biomedical drugs, enchanted water, meditation, offerings, and protective objects became part of an overlapping search for relief and explanation. “The illness is a family business,” Coderey observes, emphasizing the financial, emotional, and social responsibilities shared by relatives. Coderey also examines how successive Burmese governments used religious and medical classifications to marginalize practices considered impure or illegitimate, while privileging institutionalized, Burman-centered traditions. Astrology and alchemy could be suppressed despite their continued influence, including among military figures. Meanwhile, inadequate public healthcare and mistrust of medical authorities further constrained people's choices. Rather than treating alternative healing as simply a substitute for unavailable biomedical care, Coderey argues that these practices address questions of meaning, agency, and relationships that patients consider inseparable from illness.
