Advanced Butterfly Behavior/ collective butterfly and invitation

Wed Aug 16 11:15:08 PDT 2006

i had some of these same thoughts, diane.  reminded me that every
invitation has a boundary or edge.  some fuzzy and some firm.  this
group, this company, this color, whatever... and most importantly,
however... this *purpose*.

springing from your example, i'd say if the purpose is to explore what
it means to be african-american, then many other ethnic groups might
properly be excluded.  if the purpose is the advancement of a-a folks,
then others with passion for that might well be included.

we could say the same about developing a product in a company.  if
it's about production, it might be insiders only, or might include
vendors too.  if it's about use of the product, or design, it might
include customers.

in all cases, i think *responsibility* makes the difference.  who's in
a position to take it, not just care, but do something about their
interest.  the more specific the work, then the more specific the
invitation.

in the cases peggy raises, if the *purpose* is for one person to try
someting out, or have something dealt with in themselves, it might
very well be that they need a certain group of people, who meet that
person's trust, or other criteria.

i think the discomfort might arise from an invitation that doesn't
make clear its true (even if very specific purpose) or when a when a
someone with a clear, specific purpose doesn't realize how many others
might be share the same issue, need, purpose.

articulating purpose and supporting communion must be two of OS most
important opportunities, challenges, and practices, i think.

michael

On 8/16/06, Diane Brandon <diane at keysregion.org> wrote:
>
> I find this thread interesting, and want to add a few more questions.
>
> If a conference on African-American experience is held in OS, can it be
> limited to African-Americans? Same with a women's gathering or men's
> gathering? Or would it not be OS if the invitation is limited to one race or
> gender? I suppose the question would be the same for those belonging to one
> profession -- cooks or physicians or whatever -- or one "business" -- Ford
> Motor Company, for example.
>
> If there is an OS for African-Americans only, can there be a breakout
> session posted that says "for women only" or "for men only" or "for those
> under 20 yrs old only"? (All just examples.) This may be covered in one of
> Harrison's books, but I only have the "user's guide," and I didn't find it
> there when I just looked. (It talks about inviting "those who care" -- but
> not about other limits, that I can find.)
>
> Diane
>
>
>
> Diane Brandon, M.Ed., Coordinator
> KEYS Coalition (CWC)
> Landmark Hill Community Resource Center
> 518 Rte One, Box 4, Kittery, ME 03904
> 207-438-9100
> Fax: 207-439-8764
> diane at keysregion.org
> www.keysregion.org
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Aug 16, 2006, at 12:30 PM, ashley cooper wrote:
> Thank you all for this conversation.
>
>  Two lines of thought are present with me, I'll try and give them words.
>
>  A meta note: I recognize that many individuals are deepening their
> capacities for intimate interpersonal relationships where a collective is
> actively engaging the wisdom that is present, becoming a collective
> consciously flowing as a unified whole. This is different from conscious
> people coming together as powerful individuals who are piecing together the
> parts of their offerings into a collaborative offering. Both are extremely
> important and useful in the world and I also see them as different forces.
>
>  As I read this butterfly thread, I see in my mind's eye the image of a
> butterfly. However this butterfly is not a single person, it is a single
> whole that is made up of many people. This whole exists but does not yet
> know itself (is not self aware). Some-one in the whole recognizes it is a
> whole and calls attention to itself. I see the private sessions as being
> very similar to Chris' solitary moments in the bushes. It is a time-space
> experience of breathing as oneself, of honoring a flow or current that is
> vibrant and present internally but a little less so in the openness of all
> that are present at the event. In order to honor and engage the essence of
> this flow, the small, resonant collective must experience itself together
> and thus a private session emerges. If the intention to hold a certain
> resonance together is made clear, then whoever comes are the right people...
>
>  The other notion that comes to me is the role of invitation. I was also at
> both events that Peggy mentioned. At both the invitation was extended to a
> wide array of individuals, many people present. The diversity made the
> events; the complexity of people and relationships was essential in the
> essence and life that emerged. What do you do when there is more potential
> and intention present in a gathering then the widespread call that is made?
> It seems to me like a smaller space opened within a larger OS and a separate
> invitation was sent out while the event was going on. If the same group had
> left the original OS event, moved next store to the next beautiful island
> retreat center and held a 4 hour open space and then returned to the
> original OS, sharing that which unfolded, would that have been more
> appropriate?
>
>  One other little piece of information is that I know at the May
> Evolutionary Salon there was at least one other private invitational session
> that happened during the final next-step action-planning breakout sessions.
> I wonder if this is a pattern beginning to emerge... a need for invitational
> breakout sessions within certain larger Open Spaces. I wonder how
> developmental stages of individuals and collectives fits into this equation.
> I also see the challenges that arise with these wonderings! I'll stop here!
>
>  Curious,
>  Ashley
>  * *
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-- 

Michael Herman
Michael Herman Associates
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Inviting Leadership ...getting
the most important things done in
the easiest possible ways.

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