Fw: (THREAD): "Request for Proposal" -- Conversation on "Transformation & Grief" {LONG}

[Peggy Holman]

Message
from Mark Jones (he's having trouble posting to the list)


-----Original Message-----
From: At&T -- Mark R. Jones [mailto:mark_r_jones at att.net] 
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2003 10:23 AM
To: 'OSLIST'
Subject: (THREAD): "Request for Proposal" -- Conversation on "Transformation & Grief" {LONG}


Hi.

This particular conversation thread has drawn me out of my customary "lurking" mode.

I note that the meaning weaving seems to be around the concept and experience of
"transformation"  --  either at an individual level or at an organizational level.  
I also observe that this is being semantically paired with the experience of "grief"
-- also at both an individual and/or organizational and "world" level.

In both my own personal development experience, and in my ongoing professional work 
with and within organizations  --  I have found it profoundly useful to hold my view and
practice upon two distinctions that Ken Wilber has packaged in his "Integral Practice"
initiative.   He makes a distinction between "translation" and "transformation".

>From an etymological perspective:  
"trans" comes from the Latin and means "to cross over, beyond, or through";  the applied 
definition is simply:  "to change".  So, "translation" --  from the Latin "translatus" --  means 
"to carry across, or to express and/or admit to being expressed in another language.  And
"transformation"  --  from the Latin "transformalis" --  means "to change form, function, nature, 
and/or fundamental condition".

In my own personal development experience, I have found that my practice has gradually shifted 
from translational work to transformational work.  The experience and the work of "grief" --  
for instance when my mother died" --  was essentially translational.  That is to say that I actually
was attempting to "carry across, or to express and/or admit to being expressed" the deep confusion
of the intellect ("Head") and the deep emotional pain and despair of the "Heart" --  in language that
I could understand both intellectually and emotionally.  This intentional act of being with and
expressing the "grief", gave me sufficient UNDERstanding (insight and space) to begin the transformative
work of letting go of my attachment to a particular "form" in relationship and view  --  past, present, and future.

In my work with and within organizations -- I have found the same to be true.  Most of the work that 
emerges is "translational"  -- and is usually "grief work" manifesting in various forms.  And very rarely,
a transformative process ensues in which the organization "reconstructs" (Shiva  -- The Reconstructor)
itself and changes its essential form, function, nature, and/or fundamental condition.  I hear a lot
of talk and apparent aspiration concerning "transformation", but usually the conditions are not such that
transformation is truly welcomed, embraced, and actualized.  The insights and the space are not actually
present for transformation to occur.  In any event, I try to see what is really being called forth  -- translation 
OR transformation.  And I attempt to never confuse the two  --  since in my experience they call forth distinctly 
different energies, forms, tools, and practices.

For me, Open Space has proven to be an ideal tool for engaging organizations in translational work.  And the
"depth" required need only be sufficient to allow for some clarity around the "meaning" of things  -- typically
this is the "grief" work.


However, when I sense that the intention is truly to "go deeper" and "do the transformative work" -- then my
use of Open Space as a tool shifts to using Open Space (augmented by Arrien's four attitudes) as a "Life Practice".
I do this in a quite literal sense by "living" the question:  
     *  What is the experience, in this very moment, of living my (our) life (lives) in Open Space ?

I very specifically language Open Space to present a doable, measurable Life Practice:

THE LAW OF PRESENCE:
  I am responsible for your own experience and learning !
  I am fully responsible and expected to exercise personal choice:
    *  About what I explore and experience 
    *  About how I participate in Life 

THE FOUR PRINCIPLES:
 .  The Right People are Present in my Life in this very moment
 .  Whatever Happens is the Right Thing to be Happening
     Don't worry about the process OR the outcomes.  
     Stay With What is Happening -In The Moment
 .  Whenever It Starts, That's When It is Supposed to Start
     Remember that Connection, Innovation, Creativity, and
     Breakthrough, and Peace DO NOT Happen According to a Schedule
 .  Whenever It Ends, That's When It is Supposed to End
     If there is nothing more to be said or done, then go do 
     something else.  AND likewise, if there is more to be said
     and/or done -  then it ain't over.

THE FOUR ATTITUDES:
A1: Follow what has "Heart & Meaning
    Do and Speak "OTIS" (Only The Important Stuff) -- Insight and Compassion
A2: Be Present.  Participate.  Pay Attention
    Pay attention to my Intentions, Behavior, and Impact on others.
A3: Tell the Truth (using Skillful means)
    Speak what I are really experiencing -- thinking, real
    assumptions, beliefs, agendas, commitments, values, promises,
    doubts, errors, fears, feelings, roles that I am playing.
A4: Be Open to Processes and Outcomes
    Don't be attached to Processes or Outcomes or Logic.  
    Stay open to Surprises and Other Viewpoints.  See what emerges.

When individuals and/or organizations take on this view and intention  -- then transformation
ALWAYS occurs.  Impacts better match Intentions.  A "natural process" as Harrison might say.



Well, this is what came up for me in reading the Thread.
Perhaps these ramblings will be of benefit to someone of you . . .


Mark R. Jones
Chief Technical Officer -- DOD|DON SPAWAR INFOTECHCTR (SITC) 
Chief Architect -- Science & Engineering Associates (SEA) 
President and Chief Executive Officer -- Quest Technology Inc.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
New Orleans:       504-304-2460
SITC:                     504-697-5529
Seattle:                  425-413-6000
Mobile:                  206-696-7000
e-Mail:                   mark.r.jones at seabase.com
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