So now what.

[Winston Kinch]

Thanks Harrison for that; especially about the non verbal "space holding".  A nice addition (at least for me) to ways to be "present while being invisible". I suspect it is a good idea even when you do understand the language...
Winston 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Harrison Owen 
  To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU 
  Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 9:04 AM
  Subject: Re: So now what.


  At 10:29 PM 10/16/01 -0400, you wrote:

    So, I would greatly appreciate anyone's wisdom about using OS in this kind of
    third world context.  I will get a translator for when I walk the circle,
    etc.  I think we can get enough computers, and a space.  I expect that many
    participants will be illiterate. The politics will range from royal loyalists
    to Maoists. Humility and responsiveness to those with power is a big part of
    the culture. I have worked for a couple of weeks in Nepal about 18 months ago
    but that was my one and only time in there.

  Based on a number of similar experiences, I can tell you will have a wonderful time, and congratulations on venturing out -- in Space! I can also tell you that you will come face to face with what I have always felt to be the core essentials of Open Space -- creating and holding space without understanding a word of the discussion -- and equally "core" -- without being able to contribute a word (directly) of direction/intervention. And guess what, it works just fine. I have found, however that my own, personal preparation becomes (if possible) even more critical. For 99.999% of the folks in the circle, it will be your "being" that speaks. If you can enter that circle in a state of clear presence -- as best as you can -- everything else just moves along. A good translator will help, but I find the process so intuitive that even a poor job of translation seems to work. You will also find the opportunity to experience modes of presence that words ordinarily cover up, and modes of perception that our thirst for "the detailed facts" retard. To be a little more specific, I find that in order to comprehend what is going on it is sometimes helpful to shut your eyes and ears and ask your self "How does it smell?" Or," What are the colors?" With a little practice, I think you will find that the nose knows -- and the activities of the group create fields of colors. I don't mean to be weird, and maybe this is all about auras or something -- but all I can tell you is that when I consciously operate in these non-verbal channels I feel totally connected to what is going on so that I can effectively do my space creating/holding function. And the carryover once you return to an English speaking (or whatever your native language might be) environment is also very useful. It keeps you "above" the words. Which becomes essential, particularly when you are dealing with a large, disbursed group.   

  Have fun.

  Harrison


    Harrison Owen

  7808 River Falls Drive
  Potomac, MD 20854 USA
  phone 301-469-9269
  Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com 
  Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
  Personal website www.mindspring.com/~owenhh

  OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
  To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
  view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu
  Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html




-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.openspacetech.org/pipermail/oslist-openspacetech.org/attachments/20011017/0f3de6eb/attachment-0017.htm>