[OSList] An Invitation For Discussion

[Pat Black]

I am intrigued with this discussion and believe it reveals much about what
we bring to "Our work/Journey" and what we as individuals have to sort out
and work through in the world.  This "work" is revealed to us in all the
work we do.  I think in some way everything we do is faceted and that one
facet is what it reveals about oneself.  We make ourselves visible in the
work.  I see facets of Suzanne and Harrison and Michael and Bernd and even
myself revealed in the discussion.  And it is my believe that is part of the
work we are doing all the time.  We uncover the invisible.  I think of that
as the possibilities but it needn't be that.

I love "Open Space" because it provides an infrastructure for me to feel
comfortable and available to discovery and new becoming.  I only need Open
space for that.  In fact other platforms get in the way for me.  I feel
controlled and worked inside a World Cafe format.  There is nothing wrong
with that platform, it is just not a good fit with the bringing forth of my
best self.  I can't presume to know what works best for others in all
situations but because "Open Space is the platform I try to live in I see
all platforms brought forth as the right people and the right time and the
only thing that could happen.  If I find myself inside a structure that gets
in the way of me bringing my best self forward I use my feet or wings to
find the space / place for me to manifest that best self.  I try to keep my
core in the core of "Open Space" and when I am successful at that whatever
happens is the only thing that can happen, including feeling like an
outsider, connected, dumb, smart, delicate, fragile, tender etc.  There is
revelation and surprise in those feelings as long as I look for them instead
of looking for ways to avoid the feeling.

I am just reminded by this discussion that courage requires knowledge and
connection to our vulnerabilities. Realization of ourselves as part of some
bigger whole requires the courage to share our vulnerabilities with
something larger than ourself to manifest our ties to whole.  Blah Blah Blah
you get the point.
Thanks for the chat.
Pat Black

2011/4/30 Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net>

> 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
>
>
> *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
>
>
>
>
> *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
>
>
>
>
>
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