deep democracy

[Harrison Owen]

Jack Wrote: "It is puzzling Chris, how a group's energy can move through
awareness and alignment and then, instead of action, their boat is in irons
( In irons:  "A sailboat with its bow pointed directly into the wind,
preventing the sails from filling properly so that the boat can move. It can
be very difficult to get a boat that is in irons back under sail. An old
square rigger could take hours to get underway again". From
www.terrax.org/sailing/glossary/gi.aspx)"

 

Goodness Jack - you use the smallest print. I think it was 7pt. Fortunately
what you have to say is always intriguing, even if I can't read it. But on
your point about apparent energy loss. I find it useful to strictly withhold
judgment when such a situation arises. Even (and perhaps most especially) if
either the sponsor/client/manager or I expected some sort of action. Or, at
the very least, a movement in that direction. Open Space can be very
unsettling. First there is the matter of Freedom Shock and the fact that
freedom actually exists, coupled with the awful responsibility to use that
freedom well. And conflict - which to that point may have been avoided at
all costs and is suddenly welcomed into the room and allowed to resolve
itself in new and useful ways. Marvelous situation, but absolutely draining
(in terms of emotions) for many people who may be caught unawares. After
several days of stuff like this folks just have to take a breather. It may
seem that they are in irons (to use your metaphor), but it always seems to
me that they were just trying to catch their breath. 

 

Having said all of the above, I am by no means suggesting that action be
avoided, and indeed I make every effort to hold out that possibility
(invitation) - but it is "only" a possibility, only an invitation - which
must be accepted in order to become actualized. It always seems to me that
our role is not to "drive" for action - but rather to keep the space open
for action (or not). The people will decide, if not in that moment, then in
their own good time.

 

Harrison  

 

 

 

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS!!!!

hhowen at verizon.net

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Drive

Potomac, Maryland   20845

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 Jack
Ricchiuto
Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2005 10:23 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: deep democracy

 

It is puzzling Chris, how a group's energy can move through awareness and
alignment and then, instead of action, their boat is in irons ( In irons:
"A sailboat with its bow pointed directly into the wind, preventing the
sails from filling properly so that the boat can move. It can be very
difficult to get a boat that is in irons back under sail. An old square
rigger could take hours to get underway again". From
www.terrax.org/sailing/glossary/gi.aspx)

In my work, and like HO, I resist the temptation to think that clever or
muscular methods can or even should get in the way of the group's sense of
freedom and responsibility for its own actions. To your point  about staying
in community, last year I kept a group of Jewish 20/30-somethings working
through their projects together and it did help to keep momentum. To switch
metaphors, there is an energy in communal  barn-raisings that's different
than people working on their own barns. 

Thanks for your thoughts.

Jack


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jack ricchiuto
two.one.six/three.seven.three/seven.four.seven.five
www.designinglife.com / www.appreciativeleadership.com

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