12th OSonOs in Goa - Reflections

[EVERETT813 at aol.com]

Dear Colleagues,

Awakened this morning with some thoughts on this subject of OSonOS as
compared to an OS with a client and a theme.   Or some other form of OS.

First, I resonate strongly with the issue of the 'sacredness' of the
container and the form.   Morning news and evening reflections should be just that,
not more, imho.   The market place is there for everything else, or the great
break conversations.   I had to chuckle deeply because one of the posters got
more from that (the break conversations) than from the 'sessions', or so he
said.   The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Next, the L2F in those circles does become difficult because later someone
else will be talking and I may want to hear what was said.   If I've left
because the circle purpose has been usurped (strong word, I know), then I'm also the
poorer for not hearing the next person.

Then, OSonOs (I've attended two, Australia and Denmark; Joelle has attended
10 or more, I've not got the right count, probably) seems to me to be a mixed
gathering of people who are long time colleagues, 'lovers', experienced
practitioners, newbies, locals, etc.   This type of collegial gathering isn't
something that one attends to 'get something' as the primary reason, imho, but is
more for 'being'.

The Creative Problem Solving Institute (the CPSI) is a similar organization
where long time attenders and presenters go to 'fall in love again', and
incidently to be stimulated by some new thoughts from a presenter, convenor, etc.
Of course, one hopes to learn something, or 'get something' at these kinds of
events but for the most part they are opportunities to 'fall in love again'
with people, some of whom you have known for years and some you just met.   To
me, OSonOs and the CPSI are a spiritual love-in that occurs in a moment in time
and I'm there for the loving, not the getting.

Of course, then the issue might become "Is it 'worth' it if I don't 'get'
something out of it?".   Depends on your stage in life, I suspect.   I used to be
a strong 'gotta get something-er' myself, so I know the drill.   I've come to
realize that, for me, and not meaning it has to be for anyone else, getting
something is wholly secondary, it's the loving presence of non-judgmental
people that makes it a 'spiritual adventure'.

Well, that's what was bubbling up this morning.

Blessings,

Paul Everett

PS: I'm still a strong 'outcomes' person for client-centered events, such as
OS, which I still think is one of the as-yet-unrealized opportunities to
strengthen OS as a strategy for real change.

*
*
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