subtle realms

Thu Feb 12 12:42:54 PST 2004

When people start talking like this -- in or outside of the Open Space
community-- it can seem pretty weird. But weird or not, I believe you
are dealing with the heart and soul of facilitation, whether in Open
Space or somewhere else. So much of facilitation has been about the "bag
of tools/toys/tricks" that can be trotted out for every occasion. And it
would seem, at least in some circles, that whoever has the most toys
wins. I think what we all have been learning is that the practice is
much more about being than doing -- and the high art appears when the
being shows up as effortless and almost invisible. Putting oneself in
the mode of effortless, invisible being is a matter of intention and
practice, but getting started down the road, or helping someone else to
start down the road is no small feat. It seems that every word we say
runs the risk of taking us in precisely the wrong direction, if only
because it is a word and we say it. I believe what you are doing
(describing) here is a critical next step in our collective journey --
weird or not. Good show, and I hope your offering here will inspire a
lot of good thinking and conversation. You certainly got my attention.

Harrison

Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Drive
Potomac, Maryland   20845
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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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Judi
Richardson
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 2:20 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: subtle realms

Subtle realms..

This is in response to Harrison's question around subtle realms.  I have
chosen to debrief the event - inviting you to come to your own
conclusions!

Here are my notes so far -- should you choose to peruse them!

22 participants - OST Training Feb. 2004
Corporate facilitators and trainers, government managers, ngo managers,
consultants

In opening space in the last few months, I've been saying less and less
-
inviting the principles and law of mobility and the self-organization of
the
group to create the magic.  I was in a different place with this
training.
A few months ago, I heard an astronaut speak and was delighted as he
invited
us to realize that the sky is "not" the limit!  The Shambhala Institute
provides a contemplative learning environment built on a Buddhist
foundation, and sponsored this training.  Prior to opening the space and
during the opening I watched as I explicitly invited the group to play
with
the space - to suspend disbelief -- the space inside for potential, the
space for internal conversation, for external conversation, for
reflection
and contemplation, the space in the room and outside the room, the space
to
create a relationship with the form of OST and to create a relationship
with
space itself.  I invited the group to approach conversations from the
place
of differing experiences and both being "right" - taking thought beyond
where it had been before.

I process facilitated a transfer-in, agreements as to how the group
would
communicate, and aspirations for the two days together.  I opened the
space
first thing after the transfer-in - participants quickly embraced the
form -
many experiencing creative tension with the lack of control.  They moved
through a complete OST event, with two sessions, including convergence.

Participants were very successful at leaning into the form and holding
questions back.  Several read Harrison's book and/or perused several OST
facilitator's websites that I sent a list of ahead of time.  I then
posted
some outcomes and invited questions - inviting the group to lead the
conversation where it needed to go in terms of building a relationship
to
the form.  There was discussion around open space versus open space
technology, facilitator's preparation, working with the sponsoring group
-
(this was delicious as many of the facilitators and trainers had
terrific
ideas), how to build a consulting practice (!), working with a variety
of
learning styles, when to use OST, internal vs. external facilitator,
resistance to change, nuts and bolts (what to have), can structure of
OST
change conversations and organizational lifecycle?

It was amazing as participants "saw" what I do implicitly in any kind of
facilitation.  They noted how I sat with a straight back and open front
when
conflict threatened, leaning back to surrender the space to the group.
One
trainer stated that she immediately asked herself when the dialogue got
heated - what is Judi going to do, and started paying attention to me -
truly a gift to have someone articulate what you are, for the most part,
doing unconsciously.

Outside of the OST experience while in learning mode, I took several of
the
participants statements and questions and invited the group to
contemplate
and reflect on it prior to our discussing and debriefing as a group.  It
took some people a while to refrain from reaching for their cell phones.
A
participant came in after lunch the second day and during a debrief
stated
that while walking outside she realized that space is always there and
always open - realizing we know that on an intellectual level - this
time
feeling it in the body.  In every debrief session, there was
conversation
about subtle realms - paying attention to feelings, noticing the
silence,
seeing with new eyes, never guaranteeing anything to anyone again when
facilitating, invitation to be creative, noticing the cool air, the
yellowness of the lemons - savoring more and fixing less, and at the
same
time paying attention to organizational development, interventions, and
how
they could use OST in their work.  In the closing circle, a gentleman in
human resources with the government shared how as a Native man he often
does
not feel "at home" in formal trainings and meetings.  He expressed his
delight at meeting in circle.

Participants responses at the end of the training:

Well-organized, meaningful experience for facilitators - OST is a very
interesting and potentially wonderful tool!

Loved how well a "low-tech" approach worked.  Numerous aha's around
space -
too many to mention here.  A methodology that would work for many
people.

Thank you for this distinct learning experience with infinite
possibilities.

Chaos is good!  A great need for this in Community and community.

Thank you for this new way of looking at things - allowing a facilitator
to
look at what effect "stepping back" can have.

I was surprised at my personal reaction to lack of structure!

I was delighted at how well the group managed itself.  I believe that
OST
can address organizations needs.  The format was interesting, fun and
thought provoking.

This is philosophically compatible with what I believe about working
with
groups and the wisdom/capacity within groups, etc.

Surprised at the capability of the group!!

Issues and Opportunities for Healthy Workplaces
February 2, 2004
Shambhala Institute
Open Space Technology Training
Book of Proceedings in file - handwritten.

22 participants
Corporate facilitators and trainers, government managers, ngo managers,
consultants

Topics generated in experience of OST:

Creating Personal Visions
The Right Fit:  Creating a workplace that brings out your strengths and
helps others
Finding Meaning in Your Work
Feeling Supported to develop/stretch - new knowledge/skills/activities
when
I'm ready
Note:  The above 4 topics joined together

Focusing of "stuff" really important

Getting management to delegate authority
How to facilitate this process in a small group when the leader
(ostensibly)
is the facilitator
Empowerment & Trust & Honesty
Note:  The above 3 topics were discussed together over 2 sessions

How to bring open discussion about mental health

Money

There is no such thing as a healthy workplace

Computers/Email replacing worker to worker and worker to client
communication

How to create true dialogue as a commonplace practice

Engagement - servant leadership/peer support (seeking to understand
before
seeking to be understood)  Adventuresome learning, Empowering Culture

Meaningful contribution - what is real purpose of my job/life - circle
of
influence "be"
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