[OSList] FW: An Invitation for Discussion

Sat Apr 30 10:52:15 PDT 2011

Being the lazy sort I am simply forwarding my response to Suzanne - which I
had re-titled, “Invitation for Discussion. And Suzanne, thank you for
coming out…!

Harrison 

From: Harrison Owen [mailto:hhowen at verizon.net] 
Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2011 10:33 AM
To: 'Suzanne Daigle'
Subject: An Invitation for Discussion

Suzanne - I wish you had posted this on OSLIST. I totally get what you are
saying and doubtless you are speaking for others than yourself. It is a
discussion that needs to happen in the open (space J). You mention
“intimidation” -I guess I would prefer a word like “challenging.”
Here’s the issue. Were I (and other “older” folks) to possess some
absolute authority combined with a history of issuing dictates as to what
must be believed - my way or the highway, so to speak - that is definitely
intimidating. On the other hand were I to simply offer my experience and my
thoughts about that experience, that (it seems to me) is in the nature of a
challenge to you and others to consider the possibilities and to make up
your own mind. Of course I could simply avoid the conversation which might
be easier all the way around. But presuming that I have some value to offer
taking this course doesn’t seem very responsible to me.

There is an inherent difficulty in all of this deriving from an
(unfortunately) common experience in organizational life where it is
typical that One Leader Lays down the Law - and the lesser folks obey. In
such circumstances, even a carefully expressed “opinion” is taken to be a
veiled threat (intimidating). Catch 22!

There is actually something deeper going on, I hope. The truth of the
matter is I really don’t care what/which “process” people use - and that
would include Open Space to the extent that it is considered a process
along with all the rest. It would be my fervent hope that all such
processes might be consigned to the historical bin for “Interesting
Experiments along the way.” For some people who might define their life
purpose as becoming better facilitators this is clearly madness and heresy.
For them the task at hand is the creation of more and better processes. My
purpose is rather different. I look for a day when human beings find
themselves able to engage in meaningful relationships without the necessity
for artificial supports. That day may not be soon coming, but it is
possible, I believe. And the evidence comes from our experience with Open
Space - which has shown us, I think, that the essential mechanism is
already hardwired into our consciousness. We simply have to be - fully,
consciously and intentionally what we already are - self organizing. It is
not about inventing something new, but taking advantage of what is.

>From this point of view - all such processes are at best half way efforts,
and can become the equivalent of “enablers,” as the term is used in the
treatment of addictive behaviors. To the extent that our attachment to
Control - with a capital “C” is an addiction - I find that much of what
is now taking place under the heading of Facilitated Processes is not
unlike offering an alcoholic a drink.  It may take away take away the pain
of the DT’s but does nothing to mend the underlying pathology. At best
this behavior is misguided, but when done with full knowledge of the
pathological situation, I think it verges on the criminal. That is pretty
serious stuff.

But there is a very powerful and effective detox program. Not only does it
work, but it is even pleasant, exhilarating and fun. We call it Open Space.
But the point of any detox program is not to develop a lifetime clientele
(even though that is good for billable hours) - but to get folks to the
point that they can move on with life. My mantra with Open Space has always
been, “Think of one more thing not  to do.” Eventually you are doing
nothing at all - which is as it should be.

Then what? Will we have achieved Nirvana?  I doubt it. But at the very
least we will be playing with a full (at least a fuller) deck of cards as
we face the incredible challenges of our world. No guarantees for sure, but
it will be exciting - I think.

So there you have it - open for discussion!

ho

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854

USA

Phone 301-365-2093

www.openspaceworld.com

www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)

To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST
Go to:http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org

From: Suzanne Daigle [mailto:sdaigle4 at gmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 8:03 PM
To: Harrison Owen
Subject: Re: [OSList] 답장: FW: Once again: Blending OST with Training - an
absolute NO NO?

Harrison, Let me tell you the real truth of why I wrote this and then you
can slap me on the side of the head and know I still have lots to learn (
controlling ways -- I hope not?!) You know I want the whole enchilada and
"sturdy heart and soul" speaks to me...a hardy Canadian after all and the
one who's nuts about Open Space. And yes, you did jerk my chain again  and
challenged me about why not do "just" OS which I love.  Keep jerking my
chain on that :-}

However as someone that became enamored with this Open Space not that long
ago, I still remember what courage it took me to pose the questions that
Bernd or others do at times.  I notice in the answers that sometimes the
discussions get cut short because the answers of those who have been at
this so long seem so very definitive.   I remember when I will still
figuring things out, how comforting it was to hear some voices that seemed
a bit more like mine and how in the end, they helped me find my courage as
much as the definitive truths that I could not then know, those spoken by
people who I felt beyond my reach like you, Michael P, Spark, Herman and
others. 

Their support helped me learn and grown and made me feel just a bit less
intimidated. So sometimes, me as the beginner still, I wish with all my
heart that I can give courage to others as people gave me courage.  At the
same time, I worry that this may be an old controlling way but then I say
the hell with it, I will trust my heart and intuition cause in the end, I
want so many others to experience and love Open Space as I do.  Every time
I do something else, I discover that and only then when I live it myself
can I really know.

Now how's all that for a big fat enchilada!

Suzanne

P.S.  Would you have been open or free to have a short chat with Chuni and
I on our New Jersey gig.  It continues to be interesting and I think it
would be so wonderful if we could share some stories and have both of us
listen to what you have to say.  I'm home next Monday, Tuesday and
Wednesday.  

2011/4/29 Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net>

Suzanne - I think the truth might be - anytime you open space, even a
little bit - that’s better than the “closed” space of the “standard”
discussion. But the question arises - why go for the “little bit” when
you could have the whole enchilada? 

Harrison

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854

USA

Phone 301-365-2093

www.openspaceworld.com

www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)

To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST
Go to:http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org

From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org [mailto:oslist-
bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Suzanne Daigle
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 6:02 PM
To: OSLIST
Subject: Re: [OSList] 답장: FW: Once again: Blending OST with Training - an
absolute NO NO?

I can relate to Bernd's posting and getting stuck sometimes. I can also
relate to the other postings advocating the benefits of "just" Open Space.
In the end, this work is not easy.  It is painful and blissful, often the
doors shut as they open just a crack because of what Michael P. has just
said:  "our ability to see it (i.e. remembering open space) has withered
under the forces of control".

So I too have wondered about opening space in other ways than Open Space
when the doors seem tightly shut. I then wonder if I am dishonoring
"freedom" and "choice", "self-organizing" and all that is embodied in the
Law of 2 Feet and the 4 Principles. 

Last night I was part of a team hosting a World Cafe. More than 60 people
came, many strangers to each other, all hoping for a more diverse cross-
cultural community. The event opened many hearts and sparked amazing
conversations. As I sat there however, I felt myself imagining the
possibilities of how ignited these same people might have been in Open
Space. I knew it could have been more but then I had to stop myself knowing
that what was happening in the moment was also magical. Truth be told,
space opened last night. 

So while I know deeply inside of me that Open Space is my first love, I do
not shut the door when other spaces open in other ways. Hopefully as I
learn to be a little less controlling every day, regressing and
progressing, I can be "open space" in so many places even if I have not
been successful to invite people to take a risk and Open up bigger Space.

Suzanne

2011/4/29 Stanley Park <spark.osk at gmail.com>

My experiece tells that it has to do with daring to face and be true self
or not.

Seemingly scary dragon that has imprisoned our soul suddenly gets dwarfed
upon resurgence of daring spirit. And I likely know spirit has been there
in the deeps of our being always with all it's power to be invoked.

Ubiquitously powered by OST ;-))

spark

Director
Open Space Institute of Korea
http://openspace.kr

2011. 4. 29. 오후 10:53에 "Harrison Owen" <hhowen at verizon.net>님이 작성:

My experience is that doing something “formal” first, followed by Open
Space works very well. And it certainly isn’t “blended” in any sense I
would understand. What doesn’t work is inserting Open Space into something
else or inserting something else into Open Space. By “not working,” I
mean that the flow is broken and people become confused even if they are
apparently following along. The only down side of doing what you propose is
that people will come up at the end to ask why they “wasted” all that
time at the beginning? Doesn’t always happen, but it happens often enough
to make me notice. Have fun.

Harrison

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854

USA

Phone 301-365-2093

www.openspaceworld.com

www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)

To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST
Go to:http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org

From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org [mailto:oslist-
bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Bernd Weber
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2011 7:03 AM
To: OSLIST
Subject: [OSList] Once again: Blending OST with Training - an absolute NO
NO?

Hi All

Last month I posted about a new Learning Workshop Format-in-production:

"Participan...

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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
twitter @suzannedaigle

-- 
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
twitter @suzannedaigle

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