Practicing what I been Preaching (a little long)

Wed Feb 12 20:17:05 PST 2003

Harrison, just knowing that you, Tova, Avner, the Refusnics, Mikk, Marju and
the Customs Agent are saying and being the "P" word all over the place,
makes my heart sing.  Thank you for including all of us in your reflections.

Peace,
Christine

Christine Whitney Sanchez
Triune Milagro, LTD
2717 E. Mountain Sky Avenue
Phoenix, AZ  85048-8990
milagro27 at cox.net
480.759.0262  phone
480.759.0403  fax
VISIT OUR WEBSITE:  www.milagro3.com

Invoking the wisdom and capacity of the human spirit!

  -----Original Message-----
  From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of Harrison
Owen
  Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2003 2:18 PM
  To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
  Subject: Practicing what I been Preaching (a little long)

  Sorry I haven't been too active here recently. Too many miles, hopes,
fears, joys and many more unmentionables. The last three weeks have seen me
wander thought Israel, Palestine, Estonia, and lastly Sweden. We did three
full training programs (3-4 days each) in a little more than 12 days. There
really has to be a better way, or I will totally blow my reputation for
doing less and being more. However, I think it was all worth it -- at least
to me. And some funny things happened along the way. For example, the
extended discussions I had with my Palestinian friends prior to the program
about the inadvisability of using the word Peace. Seems like it has been
used to the point of oblivion, and worse -- it always seems to precipitate a
heated political discussion when mentioned. The very opposite of Peace. But
how do you conduct a program with the title, Practice of Peace, and never
mention the word? Particularly when all your overheads are laced with the
"P" word???

  So, I resolved to sin boldly -- albeit carefully. When we started things
off in Ramallah, I told the story of the gathering in Rome. Fortunately some
of the participants had been there, so when the unbelievable overwhelmed
common sense, they rose magnificently to the occasion with their own
descriptions, and they even used the "P" word. Sensing some small advantage,
I asked the rhetorical question --   What on earth would drive an overfed,
aging American to cram his body into a cramped airplane seat for 6000 miles
with a destination of Ramalleh, even as his president was trying to start a
war in the neighborhood??? Insanity ? Search for Peace? Take your pick.

  Anyhow, we talked about Peace -- and more importantly, I know we
experienced it in those magic moments that Open Space inevitably provides.
In a land where respect, trust and hope all seem to have gone on holiday --
all three showed up. Remarkable.

  My time with Tova and Avner, my wonderful Israeli colleagues, was no less
rich. We did the training program as advertised, but the high point for me
occurred on the 3rd day, when "graduates" from the preceding year joined us.
There are now some 40 people in the area prepared to open space, with Tova
and Avner leading the way. Numbers get a little foggy, but I believe that
between the two of them space has been opened some 65 times in the past
year. Hell that is more than I have done in the last five years! And it is
happening all over the place -- towns, businesses, the air force, the army,
police, NGOs... Should you ask the obvious question -- does this bring peace
to the region? -- my answer is a resounding YES ... if not all at once, then
certainly a little bit at a time. Every time space is opened, peace breaks
out -- even under the most trying circumstances.

  After the training program, which was conducted near Jerusalem, Tova,
Avner and I journeyed south to Tel Aviv to meet with a most remarkable
group -- The Refusnics. These are serving Israeli officers and enlisted
personnel who have refused to serve in The Occupied Territories. They are
more than willing to defend Israel from external enemies, but draw the line
at being an army of occupation. This movement started just a year ago, when
50 folks signed a letter to the new papers proclaiming their intentions. As
of this moment, more than 500 have seen fit to join the original signers.
Their time has not been an easy one, as many have spent considerable periods
in jail for their stand.  Tova had offered to open space for them, for even
though their number was growing some rough edges were appearing, and it
seemed useful to take stock of present position and future possibilities.
That plan was put on hold because of the elections which were being held,
but doubtless the right time will appear.

  And then it was on to Estonia, where Mikk Sarv and his wonderful wife,
Marju gathered a terrific group of fellow citizens from business, NGOs, and
university students. Also included were a small band of First nation people
from Russia. It seems that Mikk had provided some Open Space for them
several months before as they considered their roles and their futures in
Russia. I wish I could have been there. It all happened in the forest with
teepees as breakout rooms.

  After almost three weeks on the road (in the air -- whatever) I made it
back home on Monday. Passing through Customs, I found myself answering the
usual question about the nature of my business in a rather odd way. The
agent queried, What is your business? To which I answered, "Peace." He said,
"Peace of land?" I said, "No. Peace between my brothers and sisters." "Who
are you with? -- he continued. "Me." I said -- knowing that if I ever told
the truth about the incredible band of wonderful people all over the world,
he would surely lock me up. He walked away, shaking his head. I probably
shouldn't have done it -- but it surely felt good at the time.

  Harrison

  Harrison Owen
  7808 River Falls Drive
  Potomac, MD 20854 USA
  phone 301-365-2093
  Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com
  Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org
  Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm

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