deep democracy

Sun Nov 6 03:19:33 PST 2005

Re: deep democracyThis OS list has taught me many things about democratic practices in your contributions and responses. Not everyone agrees with each other's opinions or interpretation of experiences, but we all respect the tenents that bring us into this precious space. I've realized that I'm a conflict avoider and have been working on revealing the matters of my heart.  

I have so much I'd like to contribute to this discussion from my experience in growing a Family Support Network that weaves community among into a finely woven fabric of support for all. I will be chiming in when I finish a project I've committed to. What I want to share in the meantime is found in a message from the Hopi Elders.I share this message with every group I facilitate to awaken their potential. 

Cheryl Honey, C.P.P. 
Community Weaver
wecare at familynetwork.org

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Message from the Hopi Elders 

You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.

Now you must go back and tell people that THIS is the hour.

And there are things to be considered:

Where are you living?

What are you doing?

What are your relationships?

Are you in right relation?

Where is your water?

Know your garden.

It is time to speak your truth.

Create your community.

Be good to each other.

And do not look outside yourself for the leader.

This could be a good time!

There is a river flowing now very fast.

It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.

They will try to hold onto the shore.

They will feel they are being torn apart, and they will suffer greatly.

Know the river has its destination.

The elders say we must let go of the shore,

Push off into the river.

Keep our eyes open,

And our heads above the water.

See who is in there with you and celebrate.

At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally,

Least of all ourselves.

For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey

Comes to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves!

Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary.

All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the One's we've been waiting for.

The Elders

Oraibi, Arizona

Hopi Nation

 ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Harrison Owen 
  To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU 
  Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2005 11:27 AM
  Subject: Re: deep democracy

  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 www.openspaceworld.com 

  Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org

  Personal website www.ho-image.com 

  OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html

  -----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

  __.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__

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

  * * ========================================================== OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * * ========================================================== OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist

*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html

To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.openspacetech.org/pipermail/oslist-openspacetech.org/attachments/20051106/4674a611/attachment-0016.htm>