A word from HO

[Raffi Aftandelian]

Harrison and all,

One delightful Usual Suspect at the WOSonOS- in a fit of loving reproach,
perhaps, for me being a bit of a loudmouth at times, said, "The only person
that Raffi represents is his himself."

Harrison, I must admit I had a hard time listening to what you were saying
that evening because it sounded like more of the same. : ) It was good to
see you, however! I'd point people to your "Understanding OS" 5 CD series
available through the OS online bookstore. A gem!

Another gem is your first book, the photo essay from your time as associate
director of the Peace Corps in Liberia from '67 to '69, When the devil
dances. Pub'd some 40 (!) years ago, I read it as part of the (his?)story of
the inspiration for OS.

Especially this passage- which may not have been the intended as such- but
seems to describe very aptly the energy of an Open Space Technology meeting
and speaks to the deeper essence of OS:

A very special part
of any village celebration
is the appearance of the various "devils."
The word devil is very misleading,
and was undoubtedly 
the unwanted gift
of an early missionary
The devils are not evil,
but rather represent
a respected (albeit feared)
part of the village.
Nothing of importance happens
unless they appear and dance.
In their appearance,
all aspects of the village
are brought together-dance,
music, government, and religion.
When the "Devil" dances, life goes on.

***

In the village,
all things go in a circle,
and everything fits.
To speak of the drums
is to speak of the dance,
is to speak of the Devils...

Weaving and Forging
Fire and Steel- the Bush
Life, Death and Life again.

__________________

I love this passage because it brings harks to a definition of love you've
offered: "challenge and acceptance." (the "devils" being a respected and
feared part of village life- "What is it that seeks to be expressed?") And
also when reading this piece it recalls that etymologically "conversation"
means "to dance together."-- Thanks to Alan Stewart for pointing that out.

warmly,
raffi

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