Alternatives for Challenging Morning Circles
Sandra Kriese
sjkriese at telus.net
Wed Oct 17 12:40:38 PDT 2007
Thank-you Harrison.....I will, I will.
"given the space"....."opening the space"....."vagueness creates a
lot of space"...
It seems to be a quantum physics thing, that the observer affects the
observed....but done oh-so-lightly. In any case, after all this time,
some piece of the puzzle has just dropped into my awareness, linking
space and trust and hope and room for the whole thing. Ha!
I am chuckling!
Sandra
> Sandra – you have it right. I did “acknowledge” a “lot of stuff in
> the air” – and carefully did not “name the issues” – which as I
> said – I didn’t know or certainly understand. But even if I had
> really known the issues and understood them I would have been as
> vague as possible. Vagueness can be slippery, but it creates a lot
> of space and people fill in the blanks as only they can do.
>
>
> Oh yes – The People. Can you really trust them? My experience is
> that you don’t have much choice, and one thing you can trust is
> that given the space The People will make choices that they
> perceive to be life enhancing. Of course, other People may have a
> different perception and there are times when these perceptions are
> at odds, sometimes catastrophically – productive of lots of chaos,
> confusion and conflict. The usual response is to clamp down on the
> situation and bring The People (whichever people) into line. The
> net effect is an intensification and polarization of the situation.
> Opening space goes in the opposite direction – creating an
> environment in which there is sufficient room to find common
> ground. I think this is what Peace making is all about. If you are
> interested in all of that you might take a look at my book, “The
> Practice of Peace.”
>
>
> 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: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 2:37 AM
> To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> Subject: Re: Alternatives for Challenging Morning Circles
>
>
>
> 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
>
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