The Subtle Body

Last week I went for a talk by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in downtown Nashville.

And my mind immediately went flashbulb “PPS"  (Peripersonal Space is what I'm researching in grad school) when he spoke about "Subtle Body".

Three body states are discussed in the Upanishads and Bhagawad Gita.

1. physical body (sthula sharira)
2. subtle body (sukshma sharira)
3. causal body (karana sharira)

Physical body (the one we are familiar with, engages with the world through our senses and performs actions through our physical form in this lifetime etc…) is active during waking state.Subtle body is around 10-12 inches space outside of physical body. composed of thoughts and emotions (mind, intellect, ego, sensory and action faculties). Its size also changes expands /shrinks depending on perception and emotion eg: a happy/calm person has an expanded subtle body. For a person who is tending towards suicide/depression, the subtle body space becomes so small, that the physical body becomes so hard to hold onto to an extent that the prana (life force) cannot support the physical body anymore. Interestingly in certain yogic breath/meditative practices, you can expand/contract or even project your subtle body outwards away from the physical body.The subtle body is active during dream sleep as well. In the dream state the subtle body is even larger, that’s why we are able to experience all 5 senses because its manipulation of a bundle of energy.Real interesting parallels for me between PPS (empirical construct and measurable) v subtle body (spiritual/philosophical construct derived through introspection/meditation)

• both extend beyond the physical boundaries of the body.
• PPS is thought to integrate information from both the body and the environment to guide our actions, which bears resemblance to the subtle body’s role as the seat of consciousness and the sensorimotor faculties.
• Also idea that PPS can be modulated by our state of mind or emotions (expand when we’re happy and contract when we’re afraid) is similar to subtle body’s changeability.  (wonder if we can measure PPS in our dream state)

Some insights from Sri Sri’s talk quite humorous. Like, why do we only doubt the positive and never the negative. Eg: I love you. (Really?) I hate you. (Silence). Lol.

Related Posts on [PPS] [Peripersonal Space]

 Peace is the garden that we cultivate in our hearts - Hari Srinivasan

"I am but a humble servant of knowledge, grateful for the opportunity to make a difference." - Albert Einstein

 Peace is the light that shines in the darkness of conflict.

Fortune Article

 

https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/flexible-work-critics-using-same-arguments-were-used-oppose-disabled-ramps-closed-captioning-equity-access-never-optional-remote-work-careers-hari-srinivasan/

Replying to @HariSri108 @FortuneMagazine and 7 others
Such a thought-provoking piece Hari. Thanks for sharing!

Improving Accessibility

https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/flexible-work-critics-using-same-arguments-were-used-oppose-disabled-ramps-closed-captioning-equity-access-never-optional-remote-work-careers-hari-srinivasan/

Amazing piece by @PDSoros fellow and @TheOpEdProject fellow @HariSri108 on the importance of flexible work and improving accessibility

 

Making work landscape more equitable

 

https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/flexible-work-critics-using-same-arguments-were-used-oppose-disabled-ramps-closed-captioning-equity-access-never-optional-remote-work-careers-hari-srinivasan/

Such in important point! Hybrid and remote work helps increase work opportunities and makes the work landscape more equitable. 

Importance of Remote Work

https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/flexible-work-critics-using-same-arguments-were-used-oppose-disabled-ramps-closed-captioning-equity-access-never-optional-remote-work-careers-hari-srinivasan/

Wonderful human @HariSri108 just published this incredible piece in Fortune about remote work and the importance of it in the disability community. As an #ActuallyAutistic home-worker myself, I feel this article with my whole soul!  

Hybrid Employment

Hybrid/remote working enabled me to work during the past 4-5 weeks. Before Covid I’d have taken most of that time off. It also means I’ll return to work earlier after surgery than I would have done pre Covid. Even my boss acknowledged it as a benefit!
 

On Point

https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/flexible-work-critics-using-same-arguments-were-used-oppose-disabled-ramps-closed-captioning-equity-access-never-optional-remote-work-careers-hari-srinivasan/

Hari is customarily brilliant and on point is this great op-ed @FortuneMagazine
on flex/hybrid work and disability. Read and learn from a great scholar and writer.

 

A more inclusive work environment.

https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/flexible-work-critics-using-same-arguments-were-used-oppose-disabled-ramps-closed-captioning-equity-access-never-optional-remote-work-careers-hari-srinivasan/

Thank you Hari Srinivasan for your timely article on flexible work arrangements which simply put, create a more inclusive work environment!

Reasonability has been proven for remote access

 https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/flexible-work-critics-using-same-arguments-were-used-oppose-disabled-ramps-closed-captioning-equity-access-never-optional-remote-work-careers-hari-srinivasan/

💯%! Reasonability has been proven for remote access.

I was denied this as a requested accommodation with the excuse that a remote option was unreasonably difficult despite the course being offered remotely during COVID. If this denial had not occurred I would have earned my bachelors degree back in May. Instead I am wasting time trying to find a way to finish elsewhere without major setbacks and unnecessary cost.

Thank you Hari Srinivasan for the work you’re doing in this area!

Access to Meaningful Work

https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/flexible-work-critics-using-same-arguments-were-used-oppose-disabled-ramps-closed-captioning-equity-access-never-optional-remote-work-careers-hari-srinivasan/

Excellent article Hari Srinivasan. This makes sense. Grateful for you and the Frist Center Vanderbilt for promoting access to meaningful work for all. 

 

Important Points

https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/flexible-work-critics-using-same-arguments-were-used-oppose-disabled-ramps-closed-captioning-equity-access-never-optional-remote-work-careers-hari-srinivasan/

These are important points Hari Srinivasan made in the article. This one included: 

"More importantly....."

Yahoo Finance

 The Fortune Article showing on Yahoo Finance!!

A better mousetrap is not the solution to communication

NIH came out with this NIOS. I understand this as translating to ton of funding.  https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-DC-23-009.html Lot of excitement but everyone thinks it boils down to making better AAC devices. But they are kind of still missing the point.

In fact at a recent large conf, it was all about lets have more AAC, and we need to standardize AAC - folks all excited. Like, Voila, with better AAC, all the communication issues magic away (lots of sarcasm intended) in the minimal speaking autistics. My other takeaway at that conf was that specific groups want to be the monopoly and authority, power jockey, in a future $$$ app that all school districts will be required to buy and it will be applied willy nilly across the board.

I agree that making better AAC devices is important, current landscape is not user-friendly at all which makes them un-motivating to use. You have all these confusing screens you have to navigate and funny looking icons, or if its text based, phrase completion is a mess and so many other issues etc.  etc. So many times, its easier to just not have to navigate it (and communicate) unless you have to. And a $$$ yearly subscription based model feels like someone is holding your tongue hostage for money. I wish the NT population gets to experience what that feels like. 

However the bigger point that folks are missing is that just plopping a better mousetrap (better AAC) in front of an autistic with significant movement/ sensory / somatosensory / body schema issues does not make for effective or faster use of AAC (even the most sophisticated one). 

Building a better mousetrap is a metaphor that is often used ironically to convey the idea that creating a superior product or solution does not guarantee automatic success

We need to also be looking trying to understand the underlying physiological and sensory issues - what’s going on, and then trying to support it and individualize it, whether its medical or technology. If the body is better put together, it can automatically handle the better AAC so much more efficiently.

You only need to communicate some of your waking hours but you need to be dealing with your crazy body every waking movement (and sometimes during sleeping hours too). A more organized body will help on so many fronts. Communication is just the tip of iceberg for the minimal speaking group. 

Flexible Work

https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/flexible-work-critics-using-same-arguments-were-used-oppose-disabled-ramps-closed-captioning-equity-access-never-optional-remote-work-careers-hari-srinivasan/

An interesting article by @HariSri108 in @FortuneMagazine regarding flexible work critics criticizing equity of access for #disabled. Thanks to Hari for this article. Highly recommended. #DisabilityTwitter #DisabilityPrideMonth.

The importance of remote and hybrid options.

 https://www.vanderbilt.edu/autismandinnovation/2023/07/28/nise-fellow-hari-srinivasan-posts-op-ed-in-fortune-on-the-importance-of-remote-work-in-the-disabled-community/ 

This week, Neurodiversity Inspired Science and Engineering Fellow Hari Srinivasan published an article in Fortune entitled: "Flexible work critics are using the same arguments that were used against disabled ramps and closed captioning. Equity of access should never be optional."

 
In the piece, Hari discusses the arguments now being made to roll back remote work options developed during the Covid-19 pandemic, arguing that the reasons given for the roll-back are similar to those made for other accessibility accommodations in the past. Hari points out the irony that remote work was often seen as impossible before the pandemic, but overnight became feasible: "Pre-pandemic, we had been told that it was not possible or not financially viable. Yet these models ironically became "convenient" and "financially viable" overnight when the non-disabled world needed them."

 
He details the importance of remote work options (including hybrid conferences) for disabled and neurodiverse individuals.

The article, in its entirety, can be found here: https://ow.ly/pXXN50Pnk8l
#Neurodiversity #ASD #Disability #Autism #Access #Hybrid #RemoteWork #Accessibility #Equity #ADA

 Peace is the balm that soothes the wounds of the world - Hari Srinivasan

My Op-Ed in Fortune on Hybrid as Accommodation

 

https://fortune.com/2023/07/27/flexible-work-critics-using-same-arguments-were-used-oppose-disabled-ramps-closed-captioning-equity-access-never-optional-remote-work-careers-hari-srinivasan/

Feedback on this article

Well said! I think you bring up important factor of hybrid work environments. I think that due to the pandemic and the proof that hybrid works and happens. I think a strong argument could be made for hybrid a ‘reasonable’ accommodation.

Hari! Great article highlighting an important issue that is impacting workplaces and activities like conferences nationwide. I will share with colleagues who are working on this issue.

Well done, again!


Wonderful article, Hari! Thank you! I shared it with my husband, who is a business owner and has chosen to keep the company remote post-pandemic. And I shared it with my son, who is a neurodiverse activist who has many friends with a range of neurodiversities. Really appreciate you publishing your perspective.

Love it


This is great Hari! We'll add this to our social media queue.


Congrats on this outstanding, informative op-ed!


Great article, congratulations!


Congrats on this compelling piece of advocacy! I've just tweeted about it.


Fantastic piece, Hari. I love your openness—I learn so much from your writing.


Hi Hari, Great article on an important topic that’s very relevant to all of us nowadays!!


Great Op-Ed Hari! It’s super interesting and compelling!

Congratulations, Hari! -- your piece raises so many important issues

So helpful to reframe return to inperson as part of lost opportunity to consider accommodations for autistic and disabled plus many vulnerable groups (parents!)

Congrats Hari! Great perspective and what a fantastic platform to share it in.

Congrats and great to see this piece published!

Hari, Bravo! What an honest op-ed that not only highlights the hybrid versus remote debate but also voices the predicament that academics/researchers with disabilities experience with travel and dissemination of their work.

This is such a thoughtful piece, Hari. Thanks so much for sharing it.

This is GREAT. Bravo.

Great article!'

Thanks so much for sharing Hari - an important article

Hi Hari!. Congrats on this compelling piece of advocacy! I've just tweeted about it.

Hi Hari, Congrats on this outstanding, informative op-ed! All the best,

Thanks for sharing this good paper.I love it

Love it

Thanks so much, for sharing this, Hari! Great article highlighting an important issue that is impacting workplaces and activities like conferences nationwide. I will share with colleagues who are working on this issue.

Thank you so much for writing this, Hari