Self-Organization???? OS just one of 18?

[Michaël Molenaar]

O.k. I think this is really interesting!
I followed the discussion of self organization, and I felt something was
missing.
I would like to make a point about my opinion of the essence of Open Space:
Some might think it's self organization that invokes some human processes
like motivation and community. I think that's not really true, it's the
experience of Spirit.

It is argumented that you can choose and pick one of the 18 approaches, on
which Peggy wrote the highly interesting Change handbook, according to the
chemistry which leads facilitators and clients into each others arms.

I have this book, and must admit that I didn't really experience all those
approaches, except for two and one isn't in the book. (Open Space and
Organization Constellation, a new approach by Bert Hellinger in Germany,
Holland and some other countries).
Both these two "technologies" are originally based on ancient ways of
working with human problem solving (to put it simply) on which we in Modern
(Newtonian, scientific) thinking lost a little bit of track. (Sorry if this
isn't correct English, but I'm Dutch).

In essence I know of these two technologies that they only really work if a
(communication) canal is opened in which you come into contact with another
layer of the organization and this is based on shamanistic principles.
(i.e.: Looking at one form: the Circle). Bert Hellinger calls it: "systemic"
Harrison Owen writes a lot about "Spirit" and that is really important
because the way we are used to work in organizations our thinking is based
the usual senses without the communication canal on which Spirit is based.
(and somehow we know it because we're not really satisfied when we miss the
Spirit and don't know what to do about it)

However, you sure can do an Open Space "rationally". You just be happy and
don't worry and experience some sort of "self organization" and following
the principles and the one law, which is really a joy to do!
At first I wondered why Harrison seems so relaxed about it (and wrote a
"users guide" as if it were a set of software rules).
But now I see that there is somehow a two sided world of Open Space. And so
is Harrison to me: At first glance he is really very relaxed about this and
that, but at some point he becomes very precise and gets in the discussion
strong as a thick wall.
That's the point where it not easy to discuss based on "book knowledge" or
mind anymore, but you have to talk based on real, pure experience in
combination with the knowledge how Open Space really works. This is a
phenomenological approach, and that's also the importance of the Story
telling thing. And then the problem with "rules" becomes clear. And the one
law, of course, isn't really a law, but more a strong advise (put in a funny
way) to follow your feet. (Oops, is this a curse in Open Space church?)

There are two sides of Open Space, as I see it:
The first side is the easy understandable and funny part, which makes it so
attractive and, YES!, invites almost everyone to go for it. In this it is
not really special and Open Space has to compete with the other 17 methods
of the Change Handbook. But if you started to talk about the Shamanistic
principles on which Open Space is based there would be a problem. So of
course you usually don't start with this part of the story (at least I don't
when I talk to someone who might be interested).
On the second side is the essence (like Birgitt calls this) in which Open
Space can have a very deep effect on how people work together: they make
their Action Planning to a success, because they have discovered that they
are connected on a deeper level in the organization and that the essence is
not about hierarchy, but about Spirit and that it is really easy to open
this special communication canal to do so.
Is it that easy?? Yes and no.
No if you do the first side Open Space, but the excitement of the experience
will fade out...

The principles of the contact with Spirit is the same as it happens in
(family &) Organization Constellations. Bert Hellinger (who was also a
Priest with also a lot of world experience and also found out that a circle
is a fundamental ancient communication form to work in) calls this
communication layer "systemic". He goes some steps beyond Open Space, and he
directly refers to "movements of the soul". No wonder in this case it is not
easy to find the way in Organizations!

Now I'm stopping, because this is getting to far for the moment, I'm writing
an article on comparing Open Space and Organization Constellation but it's
not ready yet.

I'm looking forward to your reactions,

Michael Molenaar - Tilburg Holland
E-Mail michael.molenaar at wxs.nl


-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]Namens Peggy Holman
Verzonden: 11 december 2001 02:25
Aan: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Onderwerp: Re: Self-Organization????


As Ralph Copleman wrote:

> 2.  On another plane, I'm for any method that breaks down the conventional
> boundaries and mind-frames, on one hand, and shows people how to cooperate
> on the other.  I worry less and less about how what I do conforms to
> conceptual principles and more about how well it helps the world
transform.
> Both OS and FS open the doors I want to help people go through.
>

Here!  Here!

After looking closely at 18 approaches to changing human systems for The
Change Handbook, my own conclusion is similar to Ralph's.  What I have come
to believe is that the choice of approach has more to do with chemistry
among practitioner, method and client than anything else.  They all have the
potential to transform.  Further, I've concluded the choice of process has
much to do with the beliefs of the practitioner.
Many different choices can work in a given situation.  I believe the amount
of structure required is a reflection of the beliefs of the practitioner
doing the work.  When there is a perception that people need to be led, then
they will prove that out.  If the perception is that participants will
figure things out for themselves, they somehow do.  So, how much "help" you
think people need will guide how much help they turn out to need.

Peggy

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