speaking from the center
Michael M Pannwitz
mmpanne at boscop.org
Fri Nov 19 12:48:07 PST 2010
Dear Suzanne,
when the participants know each other (same outfit, such as boscop--the
berlin opens space cooperative -- where I am also a member or the
National Youth Agency for which I have facilitated 25+ events) and also
know me well here are a couple of ways of dealing with this
--at our twice a year three day boscop retreats we have for some time
now have not had a facilitator (one of us used to take on that role,
seems a long time ago, these retreats having taken place for the last 7
years)... the space is set up by all of us looking exactly as a space we
would facilitate and then we sit in the circle mostly in silence for
several minutes letting the introduction pass through us until someone
gets up an offers the first issue
--at the National Youth Agency (their annual retreat) the intro kept
getting shorter, once they tried a self-facilitated mode which they did
not try again because it kept a couple of the participants in the
"facilitator-participant" mode limiting their participation...
There is a third way I remember a few years back when HO offered his
Practice of Peace gathering in Berlin. He felt that he should no do the
intro each day (especially since he also stood up giving a talk on each
of the three days)... so on the second day a Russian speaking colleague
did it in her language, grand... and the third day I did it using no
spoken language, just going through the motions and some pantomine, it
was definitely brief!
Other modes?
cheers
mmp
Suzanne Daigle wrote:
> Dear Michael (first) and all the other amazing people who have spoken
> here also,
>
> Meshing the physical, the words, the feel, the intention: how well you
> have described this Michael starting with the beautiful example of the
> wheel chair. In that moment, I somehow felt what it must feel like to be
> sitting in a wheel chair and how often, they must feel people tower over
> them. Not wanting to tower over people by being too close can also
> happen as my eyes meet those of the participants so I apply this same
> intention leaving private space for people to breathe into what they are
> feeling, nervous, uncomfortable, etc. That's why as I let my eyes meet
> those of the participants walking the circle for the first times, with
> some people it may only be a split second, with others a tiny bit
> longer. I want to honor and respect their physical space and internal
> space.
>
> I also just love the transition you describe from the focus on you to
> the group beginning to focus on itself while walking the circle.
> Harrison mentions how he invites the group to let their eyes go around
> the circle; your description brings awareness to this transition.
>
> And then finally, the pre-work you speak of in weeks and months) which I
> have also experienced, feeling at times it is a journey of mutual
> courage to accompany a client and a team as they wrestle with the
> difficult moments of inviting people to something that they cannot fully
> describe as most often they have not experienced open space themselves.
> I am always humbled by their trust and the deep relationship that develops.
>
> But oh my....what I have understood so "/painfully" /just now is what I
> have done wrong too many times, "caring too much" for the theme,
> sometimes almost more than the sponsor or host. When the theme touches
> my sense of values and principles, I become so energized...too energized
> during the pre-work and I know now (painfully but with such appreciation
> to you Michael for bringing it to a very deep awareness for me) that in
> doing so I was consuming space that belongs to the host and the group.
> Learning this and practicing this will be my next very big challenge. I
> also realize now that by engaging too much on the theme with the host,
> it can make the post-work all the more difficult. I think that perhaps
> my relationship with the host/team may be too close.
>
> Now to lighten the topic a bit, I agree Harold that it's so wonderful
> walking the circle when we know some or many of the participants. I've
> often thought of opening space is the same way that I like to welcome
> people to my home. Typically in the most comfortable way possible (not
> too stuffy or fancy or to impress) I prepare everything ahead (food,
> space, dishes, fridge full, welcoming, tidied up and clean with time
> before they arrive for me to relax and imagine them there). Then my
> mission is to have my home become their home, no hosting or
> working/serving just showing them where stuff is and then letting
> everyone be equal to just relax and have a great time.
>
> Hugs to all, smiling now as I think of all this wonderful insight for
> Eleder, who in the end need only remember to just be himself and enjoy.
>
> Suzanne
>
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 19, 2010 at 5:44 AM, Michael M Pannwitz <mmpanne at boscop.org
> <mailto:mmpanne at boscop.org>> wrote:
>
> A few years ago I badly strained my foot and could move about only
> in a wheel chair... which I also did facilitating an open space with
> 200 highschool students on the issue of racism ("Me, a racist?" was
> the theme). I did feel very relaxed being "de-elevated" and at the
> same level with the students as I "walked" the circle.
> Reflecting on that experience I now always take care to have a
> circle of at least 10 meters in diameter so that I am not too close
> to the seated participants, too towering as I walk (my habit is to
> walk it once or a bit more than once, sometimes two times...
> changing my mode of movement after that "focusing the group" part
> which I do with the idea that the group begins to focus on itself...
> and eventually using the entire space as a dancer would on a stage
> with the idea that it is a space that can be used in all ways possible).
>
> On prework: I do work intensively with the sponsor and the planning
> group on all aspects of the event sometimes months before the OS
> event itself with the result that I get to know them, they get to
> know me and, of course, I also get to know about their theme and
> what it is they want to achieve.
> All that I now consider a side-effect.
> What I am really interested in is that they craft their event and
> that they are clear on their theme and on what they want to achieve.
> I, however, focus on the myriad of things that I know support their
> work: the space, the time, the material, the food, the documentation
> technicalities, the public address system, the team, the briefing of
> the sponsor, facilitating the planning meeting and the Next
> Meeting(s) after the event... and, of course, getting myself into
> the mysterious mode of "presence and invisibility".
> Essentially, my relationship with the theme will not substitute
> their passion for it. I respect it, yes. And my relationship with
> the people which inadvertendly developes is much less essential than
> the spirit that developes in the Planning Group, for instance. I
> love them, yes.
> My experience is that me getting into the theme (more than even the
> participants) or my relationship with the Planning Group becoming
> intensive (more than the relationship between the members of the
> Planning Group) can deflect the focus in a way that both my presence
> and invisibility necessary for my focus on space and time for the
> forces of selforganisation are deminished.
> Greetings from Berlin
> mmp
>
>
> Harold Shinsato wrote:
>
> Great sharings from all around...
>
> This might also help... something I read in a book about llama
> care. Llamas don't like to be touched normally, but if you do it
> often enough they become desensitized and won't mind being
> touched and handled. The same is true for a lot of things humans
> don't feel comfortable about - at first. It's one of the reasons
> Lisa's training was so valuable for me - getting experience
> walking and talking in the circle "desensitizes" to the
> discomfort so one can spend more time tuning into the energy of
> the room and being what they need from me as a facilitator.
> That's also a lot easier when I already feel I have a
> relationship with the theme and the people because of strong
> pre-work (another thing Lisa emphasizes).
>
> It has also helped knowing a lot of the people in the room -
> getting a chance to talk make eye contact even before getting
> into the circle, and having some friendly faces to help remember
> it's all good.
>
> And the trick that Harrison mentioned is also something that
> Dale Carnegie put in his "How to Win Friends and Influence
> People" classic. If you feel nervous, just admit it and move on.
> The transparency puts people at ease and you stop having to
> fight wondering whether anyone is noticing that you are nervous.
>
> Harold
>
>
>
> On 11/18/10 9:42 PM, Lisa Heft wrote:
>
> Hello, dear Eleder - once again you ask great questions.
>
> Everyone has shared so wonderfully.
> The only things I would add are:
>
> In my Open Space Learning Workshop one of the things folks
> do is practice walking and talking in that circle.
> And yes - others have mentioned as you have their concern
> with having their backs to someone as they speak.
>
> What they have found is similar to what was mentioned here -
> if you look a few people ahead and keep moving (slowly,
> breathing, present) you are indeed never having your back to
> anyone for very long. If you turn your head as you move you
> are including people behind you as you travel, as well. If
> your voice is loud enough or you have a microphone everyone
> can hear you even if you are not facing everyone.
>
> Of course this is all different if some people in your
> circle have any hearing differences such as deafness or
> other hearing loss - so it is always good to ask on
> registration forms who has any access / ability / mobility
> issues they would like to bring to event coordinators'
> attention. Then you have this extra info if you need it for
> some individuals, and can give them extra eye contact or
> some notes as well.
>
> *
> /
> It is true that having too small a circle and towering over
> people is hard for them - so do make a nice big circle with
> room in between each chair. And if it is too small on the
> inside I see no problem with walking the outside of the
> circle (though when I have done this some of my OS
> colleagues have *gasped* !. But it is so I do not close
> everyone in too tightly, in those instances.
>
> I have also learned from my workshop participants that if
> you have any nervousness about looking people in the eye,
> try instead....looking at the tops of their heads (!).
> It often feels like you are looking at them - try it.
>
> But I think you will become more and more comfortable as you
> practice, sort how you like to say things, and experience
> yourself doing it more and more.
>
> Sometimes if it is a tense event to come - I may set up the
> circle and then walk, it, before any participants arrive.
> And I envision the participants and their listening faces,
> and I smile and welcome them before they get there.
>
> Mostly - Suzanne said it so well: it is of course not about
> you. It is about them. So if you focus on them and on making
> your voice and the instructions something they can hear and
> that invites them, then once you begin you are in
> partnership with them - and they can feel it...
>
> And the other 'mostly' is: remember you are in your walking,
> your breathing, your explaining - creating a container that
> is open and welcoming and has tools and a process - so that
> they can do their best work.
> You are with your walk, your voice, your instructions, your
> breathing... weaving that open and inviting container. And
> in your walking you are invoking (calling in) energy.
> And you know how to do that, dear Eleder - just....
> breathe.... and ... go.... and be amazed, as I know you are....
>
> Lisa
>
> Lisa Heft
> /
> *
> Consultant, Facilitator, Educator
> *Opening Space*
> lisaheft at openingspace.net <mailto:lisaheft at openingspace.net>
> <mailto:lisaheft at openingspace.net
> <mailto:lisaheft at openingspace.net>>
>
>
>
> --
> Harold Shinsato
> harold at shinsato.com <mailto:harold at shinsato.com>
> <mailto:harold at shinsato.com <mailto:harold at shinsato.com>>
> http://shinsato.com
> twitter: @hajush <http://twitter.com/hajush>
>
> * * ==========================================================
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
> <mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
> ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change
> your options, view the archives of
> oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu
> <mailto:oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu>:
> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn
> about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
> http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>
>
> --
> Michael M Pannwitz, boscop eg
> Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany
>
> ++49-30-772 8000
> mmpanne at boscop.org <mailto:mmpanne at boscop.org>
> www.boscop.org <http://www.boscop.org>
>
>
> Check out the Open Space World Map presently showing 412 resident
> Open Space Workers in 71 countries working in a total of 141
> countries worldwide
> Have a look:
> www.openspaceworldmap.org <http://www.openspaceworldmap.org>
>
> *
> *
> ==========================================================
>
> OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU <mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
> ------------------------------
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
> view the archives of oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu
> <mailto:oslist at listserv.boisestate.edu>:
> http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
>
> To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
> http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
>
>
>
>
> --
> Suzanne Daigle
> NuFocus Strategic Group
> 7159 Victoria Circle
> University Park, FL 34201
> FL 941-359-8877;
> CT 203-722-2009
> www.nufocusgroup.com <http://www.nufocusgroup.com>
> s.daigle at nufocusgroup.com <mailto:s.daigle at nufocusgroup.com>
> twitter @suzannedaigle
>
> * * ==========================================================
> 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
--
Michael M Pannwitz, boscop eg
Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany
++49-30-772 8000
mmpanne at boscop.org
www.boscop.org
Check out the Open Space World Map presently showing 412 resident Open
Space Workers in 71 countries working in a total of 141 countries worldwide
Have a look:
www.openspaceworldmap.org
*
*
==========================================================
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
More information about the OSList
mailing list