The Tao of Open Space

[Harrison Owen]

Frank - I think the Silence you noticed is just a little Open Space as those
of us who celebrate Christmas settle in for a long Winter's Nap, preparatory
to the great unveiling on the morrow. Or something. 

 

As for the Tao of Open Space, I really enjoyed that. Truly works! And for
whatever it is worth the phrase "Open Space" first put in its appearance in
my thought and writing referring to the moment in the age old cycle of Grief
when everything had departed and nothing emerged - My image was that
tantalizing instant between breathing in and out. Buddhist friends were sure
that what I was talking about (what in their terms is known as) the Void,
which may be understood as the experience of pure Consciousness. In that
instant there is nothing and everything. If interested in following some
this along click on http://openspaceworld.com/Spirit.pdf.  This will bring
you to "Spirit: Transformation and Development in Organizations (1987) Check
out Chapters V and VII.

 

When Open Space Technology came along in 1985, I named it quite consciously
for that incredible moment. It seemed to me that every time we opened space
(as in doing an "Open Space") the experience at the start, just sitting in
the circle before a word has been spoken, was of such a sort and nature.
With a history like that it is little wonder that some folks consider OS to
be weird. :-)

 

Harrison

 

 

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS!!!!

hhowen at verizon.net

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Drive

Potomac, Maryland   20854

Phone 301-365-2093

Skype hhowen

Open Space Training  <http://www.openspaceworld.com/> www.openspaceworld.com


Open Space Institute  <http://www.openspaceworld.org> www.openspaceworld.org

Personal website  <http://www.ho-image.com> www.ho-image.com 

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-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Frank
Deitle
Sent: Friday, December 23, 2005 7:29 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: The Tao of Open Space

 

Hello Open Space Cadettes!

I'm new to the OSLIST and new to OST as well. I just did my first OS with
Lisa Heft this month and what can I say... I'm completely obsessed.

Someone must have made the connection between OS and the Tao Te Ching before
on this list but I was just re-reading Stephen Mitchell's version of it
today and wow! Especially "wow" is when I replaced the word "Tao" with "Open
Space" and the word "Master" with "Facilitator." Try these on for fun: 

 

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The Open Space that can be told is not the eternal Open Space.

 

Therefore the Facilitator acts without doing anything and teaches without
saying anything.

Things arise and she lets them come; things disappear and she lets them go.

She has but doesn't posses, acts but doesn't expect.

 

The Open Space is like a well: used but never used up.

It is like the eternal void: filled with infinite possibilities.

 

The Open Space doesn't take sides; it gives birth to both good and evil.

The Facilitator doesn't take sides; she welcomes both saints and sinners.

 

The Open Space is like a bellows: it is empty yet infinitely capable.

The more you use it, the more it produces; the more you talk of it, the less
you understand.

 

It is always present within you.

You can use it any way you want.

 

When the Facilitator governs, the people are hardly aware that he exists.

Next best is a leader who is loved.

Next, one who is feared.

The worst is one who is despised.

 

If you don't trust the people, you make them untrustworthy.

 

The Facilitator doesn't talk, he acts.

When his work is done, the people say, "Amazing: we did it, all by
ourselves!"

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Peace,

Frank Deitle

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