Alternatives for Challenging Morning Circles

Sandra Kriese sjkriese at telus.net
Tue Oct 16 23:37:22 PDT 2007


hello Doug and Harrison....

hmmmmmmm.......maybe naming wasn't the right choice of  
words....although I wonder if there are times to name and times to  
not....either can empower or disempower, I suspect.

In fact, as a massage therapist I often happily join in with a  
client's relief at having a label put on their condition, and then,  
at some point, notice that we could begin to throw it away, if they'd  
like! Both are necessary. I'm just there to "be with" what's there....

Harrison used the words "acknowledged the tension in the air". I  
assume he did that with language! :-) A "naming" that empowered?? It  
seemed so.


Arny is brilliant and, I think, puts forth a subtle and tuned-in  
method in theory and in some practice......and, yes, Harrison,  
Process Work can be a lot of work, too much I agree...especially in  
the Worldwork groups.  Having come from that method, and having  
learned a lot about processing edgy hot world issues, I did doubt  
that Open Space could allow that kind of energy....the kind that  
wants to kill.....for real. I know that artificial "safety" rules do  
not work and I am smiling at myself....thinking that "open space"  
might not be able to allow what a group brought forward! Funny, eh?

With Process Work group sessions (1990's), few facilitators were  
consciously holding any kind of space. There's a holding of the  
process but not the space. It was a kind of fluid, volatile, intense,  
amoebic process....awesome in it's dynamic energy, but exhausting.   
Even as I am writing this, I am feeling the difference compared to an  
Open Space session where the space IS being openly held.  
Hmmmmm........now I have a glimmer of the    "what" that was different!

My family's history with World War 2 instilled a gigantic lack of  
trust that "the people" could make good choices. I am on a long  
journey to heal that, in myself especially.

much appreciation to everyone,
I've been lurking and also learning a lot!

Sandra


> Sandra--
>
> "Naming the tension" raises for me the question whether that might  
> just
> be taking away from the people? I do not know. What do you see?
>
> For instance, there is this US slang for naming called putting a
> "handle" on something or someone. When we name something we feel we  
> have
> some control over it. Have you ever noticed that when we are ill, the
> fact that the Doctor puts a name on our dis-ease relieves our tension
> and gives us hope?
>
> Naming something can stop our further inquiry into what is going on,
> yes? After the facilitator gave the name, did anybody say, "Let's keep
> looking at it, maybe it's not anger, maybe it is angst?"
>
> So does naming help or open or close or something else or more?
>
> 			:- Doug.

> Thank you Sandra – I know of Arny Mindell and Process Work, and  
> have deep respect for both, but it is my feeling that he/they work  
> much too hard at the Process. But I guess that is what Work is all  
> about? J
>
>
> My experience is that, given the space/time, the people will take  
> care of the business all by themselves. I acknowledge that this  
> creates more than a few “white knuckle” experiences for the  
> facilitator – but never have I seen it all go south (Americanism  
> for “really bad”). The people always come through, and my feeling  
> is that we must “hold” that space and time until they get the job  
> done – which they always do, at least so far. But it always helps  
> (as a facilitator) to take multiple Deep Breaths along the way as  
> they (The People) work. Helps with White Knuckles and all of that!
>
>
> And of course all of this brings us back to the interesting  
> question of how could it be that these untutored folks, in the  
> midst of violent conflict, do for themselves what most facilitators  
> would take on only under the threat of dire punishment (loss of job  
> or fee)??
>
>
> Harrison
>
>
> Harrison Owen
>
> 7808 River Falls Drive
>
> Potomac, Maryland   20854
>
> 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: www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of  
> Sandra Kriese
> Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 12:47 PM
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Subject: Re: Alternatives for Challenging Morning Circles
>
>
> Hello Harrison and all,
>
>
> I'm a newbie to the actual doing of Open Space, but have been on  
> the list for awhile. I am reminded, Harrison, of participating in  
> large Worldwork groups facilitated by Arny Mindell and his  
> colleagues in Process Work. What you did by naming the "tension"  
> brought back a memory of a very intense process around racism with  
> 85 people from around the world.
>
>
> The facilitator named the floating "role in the field"....the   
> Tension, or Violence,... out loud to the group. Until then it felt  
> like the force of energy, was just escalating around and around the  
> room, gaining momentum. He just said something like "I am feeling  
> such and such in the air, is that so?".
>
>
> It was SUCH a relief and the named "role" was out and seen by all.  
> I have also been in a group where that force of energy was not  
> named and it literally possessed the most vulnerable participant,  
> with edgy consequences. I preferred the first way, for sure.
>
>
> What you did next was much quieter and self-responsible than what  
> happened in Process Work. But that "naming" of the role that no-one  
> wants to take on is so important.
>
>
> This is such an interest for me....how to deal with the extremes of  
> emotion that can be present in group....overtly or erupting from  
> down below.
>
>
> Thanks for the telling of your experience!
>
>
> Sandra
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Peggy my experience has been that everything works well in the  
> circle PROVIDED you really have the space and the time to allow it  
> all work. Specifically, in two really intense situations (one was  
> the Israelis and Palestinians I worked with in Rome) – when I knew  
> there was some really heavy duty baggage coming in the door I  
> opened the space just about as much as I could. Not to be  
> mysterious, when the people arrived for the morning circle, I  
> greeted them and simply acknowledged the tension in the air. I  
> didn’t go into details, because I really didn’t know what they  
> were, but there was no question that the temperature was high and  
> going higher. After that acknowledgement I said something to the  
> effect that I felt we were at a point of choosing. We could all  
> choose to go home (mad, sad, whatever) or we could confront the  
> elephant in our midst. To assist our choosing I proposed a one hour  
> break. People were invited to go wherever they wished, and at the  
> end of an hour, those who so desired could return, and we would  
> take it from there. I did not offer any opportunity for discussion,  
> but simply left the circle myself.
>
>
> Precisely one hour later I came back, not having any sort of clue  
> as to who might be there upon my return. To my surprise everybody  
> (Everybody!) had returned and was sitting in their seats. I  
> acknowledged their presence and passed the talking stick (in the  
> case of the Palestinians/Israelis it was an Olive Branch). Two and  
> a half hours later, or thereabouts – the stick came back to me. It  
> had been quite a ride with sharing at levels I could not believe.  
> Tears, anger, laughter – we had it all. And when it was all over it  
> turned into what I can only describe as a “hug-fest.”
>
>
> In both cases, we had anticipated going into Action Planning – but  
> there was clearly no way for that until we had dealt with the  
> elephant. Once done, however, the action planning rolled out in a  
> very natural and organic fashion. People just made deals and  
> promises. Most surprising, everything came to a conclusion at  
> precisely the announced stopping time – well more or less – because  
> then we had lunch, and the plans and promises continued throughout  
> the meal.
>
>
> I must confess that in the first instance, it was pretty much of a  
> “Hail Mary” (Americanism for “desperation play.”). Truthfully, I  
> couldn’t think of anything else. But the second time around it was  
> very conscious and intentional on my part. I am not sure which one  
> was better, but the second situation surely felt better to me. More  
> to the point, given the same or a similar situation I would do the  
> same thing again. My learning was profound, confirming what I  
> already knew, but tended to forget. Open the space so the people  
> can make their own way, and they will take care of the business.  
> Nothing else needed.
>
>
> Harrison
>
>
> Harrison Owen
>
> 7808 River Falls Drive
>
> Potomac, Maryland   20854
>
> 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: www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU] On Behalf Of  
> Peggy Holman
> Sent: Sunday, October 14, 2007 10:14 PM
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Subject: Alternatives for Challenging Morning Circles
>
>
> Sometimes we know a  highly emotional time is coming, particularly  
> in multiple day OS's.  What best serves the group when we know this  
> is coming?
>
>
> After years of experiencing the rhythm of groups at work, I almost  
> always know when people are bringing "downloads" with them into the  
> morning circle.  (It is particularly easy to predict when something  
> powerful happens the evening before.)
>
>
> For those who read the description of the Story Field Conference  
> (SFC), Wednesday morning was a turning point.  The morning circle  
> was intense and very controversial, and for most, highly  
> productive.  As I have reflected with other colleagues on the  
> choice we made to use the morning circle as a reflection space, I  
> have wondered if our choice is what best served the group.  In my  
> conversations, three alternatives emerged, each with its strengths  
> and short comings.  I've shared them below.
>
>
> I'd love to hear how others have handled such challenging moments.
>
>
> appreciatively,
>
> Peggy
>
>
> *************************************8
>
>
> When you know there will be lots to process in the morning, here  
> are three options:
>
>
> *  Do it in the circle
>
> *  Send the energy back out into the breakout spaces
>
> *  And a non-traditional thought:
>
> Take 30 minutes in groups of 4, then 30 minutes in the large circle
>
>
>
> Doing it in the large circle
>
> The pros:
>
> *  If it is a well hosted space, it can the safest space in the  
> room for those who bring a different voice.
>
> *  When there is as much to be surfaced, the benefit of it being a  
> collective experience can be a turning point, creating a deep sense  
> of shared experience and community.
>
>
> What can be lost:
>
> * People who find the space too intense check out.  If the  
> gathering is held in a location that is easy to leave, they would  
> likely be gone for good.
>
> *  It sets up a dynamic that everything of significance needs to  
> happen in the big group
>
> *  This significant opportuity for people to have the experience of  
> the fractal nature of conversation is lost
>
> *  It breaks the lived experience that this is a system in which  
> the parts that care about someting are handling it on behalf of the  
> whole.
>
>
>
> Keep the morning circle short and send the intensity into the space
>
> The pros:
>
> *  People experience the fractal nature of conversation
>
> *  People learn and experience that ideas can and do filter back  
> into the whole.
>
> *  It allows people to meet their own needs; those who are focused  
> on "let's get it done" can do so and not be subjected to stuff they  
> don't want to be subjected to.  There is no tyranny of the whole  
> operating.  Much easier to follow the law of two feet.
>
>
>
> What can be lost:
>
> * a different group of people check out - the ones who have trouble  
> speaking out because they don't have a safe space
>
> *   some people take their angst into butterfly conversations,  
> which can help it come out in the larger whole.  By going sideways  
> first in the small, helps clarity and confidence surface in the  
> large circle.
>
> *  A risk is that the conversations never happen.
>
>
>
> Reflect in small groups that feed back into the whole
>
> In the context of OST, it is the least known, since it isn't part  
> of the traditional form.  (Variation: Having a home group, or  
> buddy; can be a volunteer function)
>
>
> The pros:
>
> *  It ensures some level of personal processing.
>
>
> What can be lost:
>
> * a risk is the most important angst is dissipated
>
> *  May be most comfortable because has a foot in both worlds,  
> allows processing time though it may not generate the benefits of  
> disturbance.
>
> *  May be best way to suppress what might be creative dissonance.
>
>
>
> One last note from the Story Field Conference: my bias would have  
> been to send people out to handle their "stuff" via breakout  
> sessions and butterfly conversations.  My colleagues - Mark Jones,  
> Candi Foon and Anne Stadler - felt that this would have caused the  
> most marginalized voices to remain silent.  As you reflect on your  
> own experiences, I'm particularly interested in this aspect of  
> dominant culture voices and those who are least heard or seen.
>
>
> BTW, I don't think there are right or wrong answers on this.  Each  
> alternative results in something useful and something lost.  I'm  
> just interested in understanding the consequences of our different  
> choices so that we can grow in wisdom and consciousness.
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> Peggy Holman
> The Open Circle Company
> 15347 SE 49th Place
> Bellevue, WA  98006
> (425) 746-6274
>
>
> www.opencirclecompany.com
>
>
>
> For the new edition of The Change Handbook, go to:
> www.bkconnection.com/ChangeHandbook
>
>
> "An angel told me that the only way to step into the fire and not  
> get burnt, is to become
> the fire".
>   -- Drew Dellinger
>
> * * ==========================================================  
> 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 * *  
> ==========================================================  
> 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/20071016/799e41dd/attachment-0016.htm>


More information about the OSList mailing list