A Note for Josef

Wed Aug 9 15:36:40 PDT 2006

Dear Harrison

Thank you for the reply. Rereading what you say few times allowed me to feel
the rightness of some of what you say but we do differ in regard the plain
old evil and the usefulness of opening space to heal it. Evil in my opinion
is nothing more or less then condensed hatred that lost all capacity for
compassion let alone love. And it feed on the denials of people of good
intent who believe that there is some misunderstanding which after being
sorted out will create the conditions for opening space for peace and love.
I would not suggest you to wait for that day.

 Still, my intent was not to be derisive towards the beautiful process of
OST or toward the wonderful people over the world who practice the art of
listening, sharing and communicating with good intent. I have also no desire
to burden this space here with arguments over the legitimacy of using
violence as I personally believe in the ways of Ahimsa. I do not suggest an
eye for an eye attitude or adopting the violent ways of hatred. What I am
referring to is the way of acceptance. It means that by accepting  the
existence of evil we can allow it to move out from our space. In vastness of
the Space which is the matrix of all that exist there can be a place for
evil but it doesn't have to be our space.  With all the respect ,dear
Harrison, there is  much more to opening space then just good plumbing.
Opening space is a sacred work that should create a safe heaven and a sacred
ground for love to feel safe enough to manifest and flourish. Denials of bad
intent are not  peace and talking peace will never replace the fact that
Hezbollah and extreme Islam is preaching hatred towards anything that
doesn't look or feel like them. We the Israelis are the most convenient
excuse for the use of their violence, knowing well that the rest of the
world will buy the argument that Jews are the evil of the world of which is
their sacred duty to get rid of. And the world stands by and does nothing as
it always did.

Doing nothing is also a good way to open space but usually what enters is
exactly the reflection of what people where hoping to avoid by doing
nothing.

Thank you for the link. I red your description of opening space for peace
and it was very moving.

Josef

Josef Ralt

mobile:972528000278

home:97236821621

HYPERLINK
"http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeralt"http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeralt

   _____  

From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of Harrison
Owen
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2006 3:21 PM
To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject: A Note for Josef

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
--(HYPERLINK
"http://openspaceworld.com/opening_space_for_peace.htm"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 HYPERLINK "http://www.openspaceworld.com"www.openspaceworld.com
Personal Website HYPERLINK "http://www.ho-image.com"www.ho-image.com

----- Original Message ----- 

From: HYPERLINK "mailto:joralt at netvision.net.il"joralt 

To: HYPERLINK
"mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU"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

HYPERLINK
"http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeralt"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 HYPERLINK "http://www.openspaceworld.com" \nwww.openspaceworld.com
Personal Website HYPERLINK "http://www.ho-image.com" \nwww.ho-image.com

----- Original Message ----- 

From: HYPERLINK "javascript:parent.ComposeTo('only.connect at virgin.net');"Jon
Harvey 

To: HYPERLINK "javascript:parent.ComposeTo('hhowen at verizon.net');"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: HYPERLINK
"javascript:parent.ComposeTo('OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU');"OSLIST at LISTS
ERV.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 HYPERLINK "http://www.openspaceworld.com" \nwww.openspaceworld.com
Personal Website HYPERLINK "http://www.ho-image.com" \nwww.ho-image.com

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