What is the deep intent of a gathering and what form best serves that?

[Tim Merry]

Hi,

I would like to add something to Cafe, Open Space discussion. It has 
stirred something in me around the Art of Hosting. That it is more 
about the hosting of the space, than the either/ors of Cafe/Open Space.

I work with both Cafe, Open Space, Peerspirit Circle, Community Music, 
Theatre of the Oppressed ... the bottom line is that these all are not 
tools, but ways of being. They are experiments in how human beings can 
be together in a way that nurtures their spirit and the blue planet we 
live in. These processes work when they serve a deep and meaningful 
intent for all those gathered.  We are on the edge of design and 
discovery here, of re-learning and new learning, the bow wave of the 
boat. Experimenters in the profound practice of gathering around what 
we care about and taking responsibility in terms of action.

It is not a question, for me, of which is better full-stop. It is a 
question of what best meets people where they are at and invites the 
next step into whole full living. Cafe works well in certain places, 
participative theatre catches the spirit in another place, there are no 
final answers, Open Space is not the solution, just one of many 
emergent phenomena which are a manifestation of a shift/return in 
spirit and practice.

These spaces are sacred in the world now. They are few and should not 
be taken lightly. Each time a gathering is called it needs foreplay, 
conversation, honing and shaping. We are challenged by life now to open 
spaces through which the future can be born into the present. Cafe is 
one of these conduits, should be honoured as such, and used when it is 
the appropriate form to hold the storm.

How can we call, design and host spaces that allow humans to create 
from their best and highest goodness?

be cool,

Tim

On Thursday, Mar 18, 2004, at 17:13 Europe/Amsterdam, chris macrae 
wrote:

> I enjoyed half a day with Amanda Bucklow yesterday who is keeping the 
> circle open on how do we explain or do other ‘pre-work’ for openspace 
> to the people who most need to permit it- this being one of 6 project 
> circles that emerged from the UK OSonOS in February 
> http://www.openspaceuk.com/projects/index.html
>
>  
>
> I am just jotting some notes which blend that conversation with the 
> one I have been trying to rehearse on Open Space as most undervalued 
> technology there is and wholly different from any other facilitation 
> café etc . Any comments: anything stand out? anything my own baggage? 
> I bet some of this is so obvious to all of you (apologies if its all 
> obvious!) chris macrae
>
>  
>
> DISCOVERING :INNOVATION, RENEWAL, PEOPLE CONNECTIONS
>
> If we are going to resolve and sustain reconciliation of any of the 
> world’s biggest conflicts, open space will likely play a part in 
> communing’s immense but invisible way. Given that, most other 
> innovation challenges are childsplay for OS. 3R’s of Renewal:
>
> -Restoring trust where illwill was systemised;
>
> -Restoring spirit where many may have forgotten the experience.
>
> -Restoring access to the sustainable connections so that the 
> community/network will be strong whatever the forces are out there 
> that will seek to disconnect the people again.  
>
>  
>
> 1 Know that there is a great energy force when people come around the 
> same deeply human context, the more so if their passions are 
> diametrically in conflict. Know the 3 C’s (Conflict, Change aka Chaos, 
> Confusion) as a way to see through the system’s barriers (Conflict 
> means there’s huge value here (let’s turn system of that from 
> destruction to construction); Change is always part of the root cause 
> of conflict and the longer this has compounded the more complex or 
> personally frightening the change field is likely to be. Usually the 
> top, if has insisted on ruling above all, will have compounded 
> conflicts however unknowingly so it is the first Confusion to caringly 
> get a peaceful timeout from –space from the top is one of the greatest 
> gifts a facilitator can host   
>
>  
>
> 2 Innovate through big conflict by taking ‘power over people’ wholly 
> away from the conversation so that there is a climate of high trust 
> with people seeing and respecting one another as people first and , 
> and everyone flying through the Space’s equality of participation 
> freedoms, and all the self- and mutual confidences that multiplies
>
>  
>
> 3 Provide a stage/circle/dance-space where people feel the spirit as 
> the very opposite of what they may experience in everyday 
> organisational work etc; leaving the question open why cant we open 
> more spaces every day in every way; could it be the secret of lifting 
> ourselves up from misery starts with something so naturally simple?  
>
>  
>
> 4 Establish during the days of the space enough deep connections and 
> seeds for conversations so that from the parting, the network, the 
> community will continue; make sure everyone leaves with full 
> documentation and permission access to find where all those seeds for 
> reconnecting with are whenever most needed
>
>  
>
>  
>
>  
>

*
*
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