Palestinians and Israelis in Rome - long

Glory Ressler on.the.edge at sympatico.ca
Fri Jun 14 07:12:50 PDT 2002


Harrison,
Thank you for this post... you are truly activating a deep learning here.

You wrote>

> Truthfully, I didn't really know where I was headed when the 3rd day
> started, and when last I had talked to my colleagues Avner, Tova,
> Carol and the sponsors the evening before I had indicated my intention
> to go straight ahead "according to the plan." However, when I saw the
> faces of the people that morning as they came into the circle, I knew
> we had to go a different way, and at that point I had no time for
> consultation with "The Team."  Thus I began as I previously reported.

I got a visual from this that you actually opened an additional space
within open space... circles within circles. I respect, admire and learn
from your guts. When in question, open more space :-)

> My specific learnings were several. First -- a radical confirmation of
> what we all know. Attachment to pre-determined, fixed outcomes, even
> something as broad as prioitization, convergence, and action planning,
> is a one way ticket to disaster.

Yes! Our rigid perceptions and unexamined assumptions lead to 'stuck'
expectations and justifications.... I appreciate your brilliance in
truly seeing and accepting beyond your attachments - moving with that.

> I think what happens is that the whole group is so constricted
> physically, mentally, and emotionally (probably spiritually as well)
> that when they first hit Open Space they find it possible to take a
> deep breath, perhaps the first one in a long time.

Is it equally possible, in your experience, that they were afraid to go
into that darkness without testing the waters first? That is deep and
rapid vulnerability, I imagine. Also, I see this as a testimony to the
human desire for peace - we want it so badly. The difficult lesson is
that, in order to be/do so, we must go deep into the darkness and pain
as well.  Doesn't Kahlil Gibran say something like - 'the very same well
from which you draw your joy, you draw your sorrow'?

> And then do what you have to do.

I cannot tell you how grateful I am for this. Your brilliance is in
giving yourself, and indirectly all of us, permission to do this and the
assurance that whatever happens is the only thing... and it's OK.

Best wishes,
glory

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