12th OSonOs in Goa - Reflections

[Julie Smith]

Paul,

I'm not reading much of OSLIST these days, just pick and choose at my whim and fancy.  I usually take a look at yours.  This is a good'un.  Thank you.

Julie

----- Original Message -----
From: EVERETT813 at aol.com
Date: Wednesday, October 6, 2004 10:04 am
Subject: Re: 12th OSonOs in Goa - Reflections

> 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
> someoneelse 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
> attended10 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',
> experiencedpractitioners, 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
> organizationwhere 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-
> judgmentalpeople 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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