A Note for Josef
Harrison Owen
hhowen at adelphia.net
Tue Aug 8 06:20:42 PDT 2006
Josef -- I am not sure that Opening Space with or for Ben Laden would have done much good, but I am pretty sure that had we (that would be all of us) diligently opened space for the peoples of the world so that the chaos, confusion and conflict that inevitably occur in the course of human living might have found resolution prior to explosion -- the Ben Ladens of this world would find little fuel for their fires. That did not happen and the fires are burning. It could have been different, I believe -- and may still be different if we get to work.
Personally, I have never seen an Open Space for "bad intent if not plain old evil." What shows up in all the Open Spaces I have experienced is just plain people, who come in all shapes and sizes with multiple desires, histories and passions. Even in violently conflicted environments, such as the Open Spaces I have been part of in The Middle East, the people soon found themselves with more in common than difference. To be sure the conversations were loud and confrontational -- but for the most part, they were conducted with respect -- which often turned into hope and trust, and strangely, even affection. Recently in Seville where I found myself in the midst of several hundred Rabbis and Imams, that was the case. And several years ago in Rome, with a smaller, but much more political group of Israelis and Palestinians, the situation was the same. For the story you might check --(http://openspaceworld.com/opening_space_for_peace.htm)
To be sure there are psychopaths and thugs. Every society has them -- but when the space of that society is keep open (there are multiple ways to open space in addition to OST) -- the pathology of such people can be marginalized and the toxins they produce flushed away. Alternatively, when we close space, build walls, seek to dominate and control these same toxins are concentrated and eventually become lethal. We know all about that, I think.
To me it is less a matter of morals and ethics and more about good plumbing, although maybe this is the ultimate ethic and morality. The fact of the matter is that everyday human life produces toxic by-products. It is inevitable and quite natural and may be prevented only with the cessation of life, which is not quite what I would have in mind. The critical issues is to keep flushing the system -- and that requires lot of space in order to keep things moving. I grant you this may not be the most delicate way to put things, and one might conclude that OST is simply the community commode -- but it seems to work.
Harrison
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Dr.
Potomac, MD 20854
USA
301-365-2093
207-763-3261 (summer)
website www.openspaceworld.com
Personal Website www.ho-image.com
----- Original Message -----
From: joralt
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2006 4:52 AM
Subject: Re: A Note from a Young Friend
Hello to all
I am new in this place. I joined the list after discovering recently the concept of OST and ever since I am studying this idea with it's many possibilities and connotations.
As an artist I couldn't ignore the many similarities between some of the ideas of OST and the opening of space for the creative flow within a framework of art making be it a painting, a poem, apiece of sculpture etc.
But since it is a time of war I thought to write few words about the negative connotations of opening space without realizing how denials of evil intent open the gap in opposition to any good intent of loving people everywhere.
Reading some of your letters here regarding the war between Lebanon and Israel I couldn't not notice how much some of you seem to disregard the power of opening space for bad intent if not plain old evil.
How about opening space for stupidity of the western cultures who still disregard the bad intent of the militant Islam that despises most of what the western cultures regard as good and valuable?
How about opening space for deceits and evasions of the European countries that allow their business corporations to sell any lethal knowledge that turns out to be the weapons that are used to instigate terrorists activities around the globe?
What about the Lebanese government that opened space for murderous intent of the Hezbollah ?
Why do you think that space is limited only to love and good? Isn't space unlimited by definition?
Where did you got the idea that disregarding evil intent by denying it's existence will not open space in direct proportion to the force with which it is being denied?
Opening space for evil (knowingly or not) is nothing new and it has always created the gap that feeds on the denials of people of good intent everywhere.
It is not enough to open space for good intent. You must accept responsibility for your own denials that you throw into the gap in superstitious belief that if you dispose of your bad intent by denying it into the gap you will not have to face it one day.
Well, the day has arrived and guess what? Most of you in the free western society will have to face how ludicrous is your belief that terrorists will sit with you in open space circles and allow you the freedom of doing things in your own way.
Do you believe that perhaps opening space with Bin Laden could have prevented the attack on the WTC?
All the best
Josef from Tel Aviv
Josef Ralt
mobile:972528000278
home:97236821621
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeralt
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Argene Carswell
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2006 5:25 AM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: Re: A Note from a Young Friend
Harrison and Jon,
A personal note of thanks for your notes. I recently returned from Beirut (less than two weeks before the conflict). When I read your emails tonight, I had just completed one of my own to one of my Lebanese colleagues, and was feeling quite helpless. In fact, I have felt quite helpless over the past few weeks as I communicate with my Lebanese colleagues and friends by phone and email.
Jon, your words regarding demonstrating "huge respect" and the power of just "connecting" brought such comfort at this moment. It makes me think that what I offer my Lebanese friends just might have some real value after all. And while it does not involve a typical open space and large circles - I hope that as I try to exhalt THEM, and connect with passion, "maybe human love can be seen at its highest" - even if just for a fleeting moment.
Harrison, I now feel less helpless. And I know you are right, the fever has to run its course - it is sometimes just so hard when it hits so close.
Many thanks,
Argene
Carswell and Associates
1235 Jefferson Davis Highway
Suite 1600, #141
Arlington, VA 22202
-----Original Message-----
From: hhowen at adelphia.net
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Sent: Mon, 7 Aug 2006 11:57 AM
Subject: Re: A Note from a Young Friend
Jon -- thanks for the note. I presume you also meant this for OSLIST, so I will send onwards.
ho
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Dr.
Potomac, MD 20854
USA
301-365-2093
207-763-3261 (summer)
website www.openspaceworld.com
Personal Website www.ho-image.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Jon Harvey
To: Harrison Owen
Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 10:57 AM
Subject: RE: A Note from a Young Friend
Thank you for sharing that with us, Harrison.
It has never been more important than now to create the spaces for people to
come together, and through dialogue, be reminded that we are all human and
what joins us is so much much more than what divides us. Like Dania I
sometimes despair and hear with disbelief the vacuuous statements by our so
called leaders. But then I get back in my saddle - believing that if I can
help just two people to really hear and listen to each other - and
rediscover their common humanity - then it is still worth carrying on.
So - here's to large circles and deep listening, wide openness and huge
respect! Defragging the world may take time - but we can get there!
"Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and
the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its
highest. Live in fragments no longer" (E M Forster)
Jon Harvey
Oxford, UK
-----Original Message-----
From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of Harrison
Owen
Sent: 07 August 2006 15:28
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: A Note from a Young Friend
Some of you may remember that during the Congress of Rabbis and Imans I met
a wounderful young lady from Indonesia. I heard from her again today and
thought our exchange might have some relevance for OSLIST.
Dania wrote:
Dear Mr. Owen,
How are you? I'm Dania from Indonesia. I was a participant of the world
congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace in Seville, Spain, as a student of
Children of Abraham. I met you there. I hope you're still remember me
Mr. Owen, I'm very concerned about the war between Hezbollah and Israel in
Lebanon.. I read the news about it everywhere. Yesterday, I found a
newspaper on my boss' desk. I stole it (hihihihi) while she was having lunch
and read the news about Hezbollah and Israel. People died in Lebanon, most
of them are children and old people. They bombed houses, buildings.. oh my
God, I couldn't stand read it. I saw the news on the TV, too. They showed
the picture of the victims in lebanon, the children, the amunitions, people
suffered...
On my way back home from the office, I turned my radio on and heard the news
about Hezbollah and Israel (again and again and again!).after the news, they
played one of my favourite songs, Imagine, sang by 2 singers, an arabic man
and a french woman. they sang the song in 3 languages: arabic, french, and
english. it was beautiful. i've heard this song many times, but when I heard
it yesterday, I cried.. I was very upset about this war and all. whjat is
wrong with this world?? why do they do that? what for? Can't they stop the
war, make peace, and live happily together? what's wrong with peace? why do
they reject peace? what do they want now? when is it going to be over?
Can we do something to stop the war, Mr. Owen? Me, you, and the Imams and
Rabbis who attended the congress in Seville? Can we take action? What can we
do to stop the war? what can we do to make them realize that war won't do
any good?
I can't find any answer for these questions.. I feel hopeless.
Dania
I replied:
Of course I remember you! And with great affection!! As for Hezbollah and
Isreal. . . I am afraid that this may be one of those times in Human history
when all the things we should done and did not, along with all the things we
should not have done and did -- now come due. It is rather like the
situation when we do not take care of our health and suddenly we find that
we have a bad infection and a fever. That fever will now run it's course.
Sooner or later it will break but whether that break occurs before major
damage has been done, or after, remains to be seen. Being a Human Being is a
constant learning process, and sometimes that learning can be very painful.
But the greatest tragedy would be not to learn. So for my self, I feel
neither helpless nor hopeless. To be sure I do not have the power to
separate Israel and Hezbollah, nor do I think that those who may think they
have the power (Presidents, Kings, Imams, Rabbis, etc) could do any better.
And even if they were to be successful in Lebanon -- the underlying causes
would remain, and the fever would break out again. So what to do? Speaking
only for my self, I intend to keep opening space so that wonderful people
such as you can experience that "playground" (as you called it) in which
real people with real differences can meet each other with respect. And if
you are looking for something to do right now -- you could try the same
thing.
God Luck! And thank you for remembering me!!
Harrison
Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Dr.
Potomac, MD 20854
USA
301-365-2093
207-763-3261 (summer)
website www.openspaceworld.com
Personal Website www.ho-image.com
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