The Practice of Peace

[Jim Metcalf]

Harrison,
Please send me the draft as a Word document. I appreciate OS as an
avenue to peace on several levels. Thank you for all you have done
through OS to make my life better.

Peace and joy,

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of
Harrison Owen
Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 12:02 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: The Practice of Peace

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Later this week, we will all be remembering where we were on the morning
of September 11, 2001. The shock of disbelief, a moment in which
everything stood still, including our breath -- and then -- with the
return of breath -- out came... For most people receiving this note,
there was pain, anger, anguish. But it is well to remember that for many
others, the reaction was quite different. Joy and cries of Victory in
celebration of blows struck in retribution for abuses, perceived and
real. In an instant, the lethal divisions of our world became
agonizingly clear.

During this past year, I found myself on a journey in the company of
many others, Looking for Peace, and the means to achieve it. For myself,
it has been a rich and painful trip. Old notions dissolved in the heat
of present reality, and new approaches shimmered like a desert mirage,
only to disappear upon approach. Part of this journey was intensely
physical, taking me through The Middle East and Serbia where I met
wonderful people who's daily experience was anything but peaceful. And
part of the journey was deeply interior, as I faced my own dark places.
Along the way, I made notes to myself, mostly for therapy, but some of
these notes seemed to have broader interest, and I shared the results
with many of you. Almond Tree Blossoms and Tears captured the experience
of The Middle East. And then in early June I offered my perceptions of a
most remarkable gathering in Rome with 50 incredible Palestinians and
Israelis.

The year is almost done, but the search for Peace has just begun. This
incredible 365 days has concluded (for me) with the completion of a new
book, which I call, The Practice of Peace. It has no publisher at the
moment, although I am hopeful that my publisher Steve Piersanti, and all
the good folks at Berrett-Koehler, will consider the project. In the
interim, I make bold to freely offer you a DRAFT copy -- for two
reasons.

First reason -- I think it might actually do some good. As you might
expect from me, the core practice has a lot to do with Open Space. Hence
we are not dealing with a new, untried approach. Second reason -- I need
your help. I believe the approach is solid, and the presentation is in
pretty good shape. But those are my thoughts, and I need yours. What
works? What doesn't work? etc, etc, etc.

If you would like a copy, send me an email. I will send you the DRAFT as
an attachment in any one of four formats, PDF (Adobe), RTF, DOC (Word),
or WPD (WordPerfect). The book is 150 pages (.45 meg) -- so make sure
you want it before you ask.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Harrison


Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, MD 20854 USA
phone 301-365-2093
Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
<http://www.openspaceworld.com/>
Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
<http://www.openspaceworld.org/>
Personal website www.mindspring.com\~owenhh
<http://www.mindspring.com/~owenhh>

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