Going deeper, taking deeper

[Lisa Heft]

Doug --

Funny what you say about Ralph - my impression is that it's *you* who
are being tough on yourself.  In all this analyzing I've read, have you
mentioned the magic that came of it?  Have you celebrated?  J-u-s-t
asking....

Here's what I do to hold space for people to do their very best work:

1- Do all I can to plan and design a great event (then let go and dance
the dance).

2- Rest, eat and take care of myself before the event.

3- Open and hold space by being completely present - completely h e r e

4- I reserve the day after all my events so that I can rest and
replenish.  Personally, after an Open Space event I am not
uncomfortable, just very relaxed and sometimes a bit physically tired
(and I find that being in the sensory overload of all talking/audio all
day requires that I have a nice quiet day the day after)

Note: when I am holding *space*, the image that is in my mind is arms
wide open, to encompass the all of everything.  Breathing. Noticing.
(mindfulness?) Believing that each person in the room (including myself)
is wise and amazing and each of us has immeasurable potential - each of
us is magical and beautiful.  Holding love in my heart for everyone.
Space and time stop (are expanded; are *now* and that holding space is a
meditation of sorts.)

My image of some of what you are doing (and I can never speak for you -
this is just a projection) is that your focus on how you
couda-shoulda-woulda (for you English as second language speakers that
means you are thinking 'what if I could have...should have...would have
done...) about your role in taking them deeper is implying that you
could have gotten them there (which is not your job - it is their job --
and who is to say they didn't *get* there?) - that they didn't go deep
enough (according to whose measuring system - yours? How can you measure
what someone else experiences inside?)

My thought is to let go of measurements (after all, we all know what
people look like if they try to dance according to some footprint signs
laid out on the floor), let go, breathe, and instead of *do*...  Be.

Let go of your responsibility for measuring where they go - the fact is:
they go.

And isn't it amazing.

Trust the process -- and embody your belief in them.

My two cents, as the lovely Artur says...

Lisa


L i s a   H e f t
Consultant, facilitator, educator
O p e n i n g  S p a c e
2325 Oregon
Berkeley, California
94705-1106   USA
(+01) 510 548-8449
lisaheft at pacbell.net
(coming soon: www.openingspace.net)

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