intro & question-visioning during opening of OS?

[Eric Lilius]

Hi Jennifer,

A visioning to open space? My gut reaction was "No, it wouldn't be Open
Space."

What comes to mind first is a question...You say you've been lurking.
Have you experienced Open Space? I would say, if not, try it out to
experience that it really works as it is.

The kind of vision you are suggesting focuses the group and controls
what they are to reflect on. It encloses the space and limits
possibility. It may be that what really needs to happen is outside the
focus of the visioning.

Open Space is a deceptively simple but deep process. It has form in the
circle. It calls forth and honours the collective wisdom in that circle
in an atmophere of high trust that the group in the circle contains the
answers and directions that need to happen. It is a mystical and deeply
human process.

The four principles really say it all.
Quoted from http://www.openspaceworld.org/english/guidedtour.html

"Whoever comes is the right people" acknowledges that the only people
really qualified or able to do great work on any issue are those who
really care, and freely choose to be involved.
"Whenever it starts is the right time" recognizes that spirit and
creativity don't run on the clock, so while we're here, we'll all keep a
vigilant watch for great ideas and new insights, which can happen at
anytime.
 "Whatever happens is the only thing that could have" allows everyone to
let go of the could haves, would haves and should haves, so that we can
give our full attention to the reality of what is happening, is working,
and is possible right now.
And finally, "When it's over, it's over" acknowledges that you never
know just how long it'll take to deal with a given issue, and reminds us
that getting the work done is more important than sticking to an
arbitrary schedule. Taken together, these principles say "work hard, pay
attention, but be prepared to be surprised!"

The facilitator's job is to open the space and hold it.

It really is a matter of trusting that when the space is opened, held
with care and integrity, and passion and responsibility are called
forth, what's needed will appear.

I agree with Harrison that a visioning would add leaven to the process
if done the evening before.

Eric Lilius

--



Jennifer Hurley wrote:

>Hello everyone.  I recently joined the list and have been lurking for a
>couple of weeks and learning lots.
>
>By way of introduction--I am a City Planner in Philadelphia, PA, USA with a
>background in conflict resolution and group facilitation.  My private
>practice in planning focuses on facilitating public involvement in community
>development.  For anyone interested in finding out more about me, see my
>firm's website at http://www.hfadesign.com.
>
>On to my question--
>Has anyone on the list ever used a "visioning" meditation exercise as part
>of the opening of an Open Space?  The kind of exercise I'm thinking of would
>be something like this:
>
>***
>I want you to close your eyes, put your feet flat on the floor, and breathe
>deeply.  Let all of the constraints of the present fall away.  Know that
>anything is possible.  Pretend that you have a magic wand and can make
>anything you want happen.
>
>Imagine First Church 20 years from now.  What does it look like?  What kinds
>of rooms do you see in the building?  What¹s happening in the rooms?  Who
>are the people in the rooms?  How old are they?  Where do they come from?
>What are they doing?  What are they saying?  What is happening around the
>Church building?  What are Church members doing outside of the building?
>What kinds of activities are they engaged in?  What¹s the relationship
>between First Church and the surrounding area?  What do the neighbors say
>about First Church?  What do other Unitarians think about First Church?
>
>Now, take that vision and seal it, stamp it in your mind so that you can
>call it up anytime you want.  You may want to write down a few key phrases
>to remind you of your vision later.
>***
>
>What do people on the list think?
>
>Thanks for your input,
>Jennifer Hurley
>-------------------------------
>Hurley~Franks and Associates
>Planning & Urban Design
>
>1429 Walnut St., Ste. 601
>Philadelphia, PA 19102
>
>P: 215-988-9440
>JLHurley at HFAdesign.com
>http://www.hfadesign.com
>
>Association for the New Urbanism in PennsylvaniA (ANUPA)
>http://www.anupa.org
>
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--
Eric Lilius
Box 27
2675 Haliburton County Road #6
Eagle Lake, ON  K0M 1M0
705-754-9859
705-754-9860 (fax)
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