Day 1 WOSONOS in Taiwan

Fri Oct 16 15:11:08 PDT 2009

*Heading into our last day of Open Space in Taiwan…*

Impossible to describe in words what this first experience of World Open
Space has been for me. I will count this on my list of major
life-influencing, seminal events, something I will carry with me through my
old age (and who knows perhaps beyond wherever that is).

In the spirit with which I came here which was to bring everyone in this
wonderful World Open Space community with me to Taiwan, I struggled to think
how I could share the “feeling” of what happened here for me so that we
(you) could all feel part of it.

>From the moment I set foot in this country, I was made to feel welcome and
this heartfelt intention of welcome flowed right into our Open Space as Gail
opened the space on Thursday morning. This she did in its simplest and
purest form, without fanfare, trusting the people and the process (or as
someone said to me “submitting” to the process). This simplicity, with few
words, opened space for us in an almost cellular way providing a feeling of
safety and welcome. From this, a closeness emerged and evolved punctuated by
those moments of quiet, of pure joy, of hope that you can feel in a
room.  There
we are in our conversations, all together in the different corners of this
big room,  easily able to butterfly and bumble bee or if we choose, to
remain glued where we are, intensely engaged in the listening, speaking and
witnessing that is happening right then and there.

The hosting team is the most beautiful example of self-organizing and shared
leadership  that I have ever seen. Again without fanfare but with all the
elements of hosting, from all the local foods which are there for us all the
time, refreshed, replenished, always different, so healthy, and so tasty to
the care and concern from everyone who hosts us, always so attentive in a
subtle gentle way with an inquiring question, a touch or a look to see if we
are okay, if we have everything we need. Never over planned, always leaving
room for plenty of spontaneity, just wonderful!  And then, as if part of a
Living System, we get to enjoy each of these hosts as their unique
individual personalities shine through and are shared with us.  To name one
would be to forget one, so all I can say is that we are taken care of from
morning to night, in the room, in the city where they show us their
treasures escorting us everywhere and always watching over us to make sure
we are together in the subway car, in the taxi, or on the crowded streets
with hotel cards always in hand so we do not get lost.

We are truly bonding, everyone around the world in an ageless and culture
filled way. Harrison Owen in a recent discussion with Peter Vaill commented
as he spoke of facilitation and leadership that “charisma” can consume space
rather than open space; well here the simplicity of what happened truly did
“*Open *Space” for us all with no distractions or noise which sometimes also
seems to consume space.   The Taiwan team are doing it right and based on
Michael Pannwitz (the young one) who extended the invitation for WOSONOS 2010
in Berlin, I “feel” that this same spirit is being created for next
year…with their unique and enticing welcome punctuated by another table
laden with delicious German treats here in Taiwan…more food!!!! By the way,
late last night after a very full day, we did manage the ultimate sacrifice
as three brave souls (Alan Stewart, Tim Lam both Hong Kong and I) headed out
to the Lili Cafe  to have the promised martini toast...yet another  Open
Space tradition honoring the liquid spirits that was in the mix when Open
Space got created.

In closing, all I can say is that the relationship building and pure joy
that people are feeling is palpable as we cross cultural, age and language
boundaries to express our passion and travel deeply inside ourselves
and  together
to discuss issues that matter to us.  Thank you Taipei, Taiwan!

Suzanne

 P.S. I must not forget to bring tissues to my next sessions knowing that I
will shed many tears in saying “aurevoir” for now to my new friends.

On Fri, Oct 16, 2009 at 7:00 AM, Gail West <icataiw at ms69.hinet.net> wrote:

>  And so......... the end of day two of WOSONOS in Taipei.  Two
> spirit-filled and fun days and evenings of deep conversations/story
> telling/sharing/exploring, representatives from 11 countries, glorious food,
> color-puncture and reiki healing, hot springs baths and night markets, a
> grand celebration that included 3 birthdays and songs and more stories,
> several walk-in participants... and more!  All supported by hugs and emails
> connecting this group to the whole OS community.  Here are a few pictures of
> the welcoming reception and day one.  More to come tomorrow.
>
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/42718381@N00/sets/72157622470254545/
>
> Gail
>
> --
>
> Gail West
> ICA
> 3F, No. 12, Lane 5, Tien Mou West Road
> Taipei, Taiwan 111
> 8862) 2871-3150
> SKYPE   gwestica
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-- 
Suzanne Daigle
NuFocus Strategic Group
7159 Victoria Circle
University Park, FL 34201
FL 941-359-8877;  CT 203-722-2009
www.nufocusgroup.com
s.daigle at nufocusgroup.com

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