Open Space -- The Credible incredible

[Jeff Aitken]

Now that I found it, I can't resist forwarding the intro to Tony Judge's
article "Togetherbound: A Gathering of the Mad." Published in 1982; hmm,
just as OST was beginning to emerge. The url is
http://www.uia.org/uiadocs/gathmad.htm

"The time has come for an ambitious large-scale event which calls upon all
the personal skills and energies we can collectively bring into focus. The
challenge is simple: ourselves together- in the form of a wide range of
concerned people of every perspective, whatever the degree of opposition or
harmony, rationality or irrationality. The processes will be carefully
designed to facilitate the expression and weaving together of these
contrasting modes of operation:
discovering the subtle pattern which connects what we each consider vital.

We intend to create an empty central space into which the unexpected can be
born. But this is essentially a self-organizing event, despite the careful
attention which will be given to processes. Much will be left to the
responsibility of participants acting in the light of the spontaneous
inspiration of the moment. This is a high-risk creative experience for
those who believe this to be the price of real collective breakthrough.

The event should be the most exciting and testing you have ever attended:
part work, part fair, with joy and despair, drama and paradox - truly a
healing dance of life in its deepest and most ambiguous sense. For those
committed to change, it could be the most significant. The event will not
only be a catalyst for change, it will be an expression of it. Things will
not be the same afterwards - especially for those who participate.

Why not: The past decades have given rise to many collective events quickly
forgotten. People have gathered under every banner, in search of solutions
to every problem. Achievements have been minimal and essentially cosmetic -
little has been learnt from past failures. Proposed conventional gatherings
and campaigns are now viewed with weary suspicion - creative people avoid
them in despair.

A new approach is required which harnesses and transmutes the very energies
which have distorted and underminded the processes and outcomes of past
events- bland exercises in cautious rationalism or emotionalism. It is not
enough to rely on personal transformation, exercises in group consciousness
or on the passive belief that "all will be well".

We have roles to play. But our very fear of action prevents us from
learning how to rise beyond the polarities by which we are frustrated,
trapped and rendered impotent. The times call for inspired actions of a new
kind that bring us face-to-face with all dimensions of our fear of change.
In our ignorance, we must be collectively challenged before we can sense
the dimensions and rhythms of the unfolding drama in which we can find
roles to play.

Unless an event is collectively daring, it cannot avoid the superficial and
evoke the energies for significant change and tangible outcomes - it
becomes merely another charming celebration of impotence."

-
Jeff Aitken
Collaboration Consultant: Specialist in Open Space Process
1281 Burnside Road, Sebastopol CA 95472 USA
707-829-8256
mailto:JA at svn.net
www.openspacetechnology.com

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