[OSList] FW: Welcome to the 5th principle in order to remain 4

Tue Jun 7 14:14:48 PDT 2011

I think I’ve found the secret. It is not so much what I said – but what we all said which was “carried along” as a continuation of the thread. So the answer is Delete, Delete, Delete. 

Maybe?

Harrison

Jorge – Welcome! And don’t stay away so long!!

Two principles about “time.” You’re right! But are both necessary? I thought so at the time (bad pun J). The principles (all of them) popped into my head over a period of years as I noticed the strange things that happened in Open Space – and particularly the strange things that appeared to perplex people. I found myself enunciating the principles as a way of pointing out what they were likely to run into and to suggest that, strange as it might seem, everything would work out just fine. 

The first Principle should make the point. Everybody was always concerned that the “right” people come to a meeting. Usually they meant those people with the political position, the appropriate authority, or the right expertise. The experience, however, went in a very different direction. Often it seemed like that even if NONE of the “right” people showed up still very useful things happened. I confess it took me a while to figure out why that might be true – but  from the start, it just seemed like a fact of life. Counter-intuitive as it might seem, “Whoever comes is the right people.”

The two “time” Principles showed up for similar reasons. Obviously they are both about time, but very different sorts of time. There is “beginning” time and “ending” time. And people seemed very concerned about each, but for different reasons. I noticed that folks were often sweating the fact that we might not start “on time.” But I also noticed that whenever we started, everything seemed to work out just fine – hence, “Whenever it starts is the right time.”

Ending time is a different creature. And most people just really don’t want to talk about it. In extreme situations that sort of time is called “death.” But even in more proximate situations, “ending” is something we would rather not confront. Hopefully, things will just go on forever. But  the don’t! All of this becomes quite difficult when we spend a lot of time and effort keeping something going, when in fact it is already ended. Dead so to speak. Companies that have seen better days and should just retire from the field of battle with a good funeral just keep plugging away, wasting massive amounts of human energy and Spirit. In truth they would do everybody a favor, themselves included, if they would just admit the obvious, It’s over! Hence the Principle: “When it is over, it’s over.”

There is really nothing very arcane and deep theory about these 5 Principles. Just funny things I’ve noticed that sometimes seem to get in people’s way as they move in Open Space. The Principles don’t actually change a thing. What’s going to happen will. But when folks have a “heads-up” it seems to make it a little easier for them.

Harrison

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854

USA

Phone 301-365-2093

www.openspaceworld.com

www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)

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From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Jorge amigo
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 10:11 AM
To: 'Jorge amigo'; 'World wide Open Space Technology email list'
Subject: Re: [OSList] Welcome to the 5th principle in order to remain 4

Dear community

I would like to delve a little deeper on the idea that I have raised with the title "Welcome the 5th principle in order to remain 4”.

First, tell you I appreciate and value the open space is OSLIST virtual. I am basically a peripheral participant OSLIST. Very few times I've written something, but I am a legitimate peripheral to live in freedom and responsibility to participate from time to time on subjects that interest me. 
And this has been the case. The appearance of the reflections and comments on the 5 th Principle has interested me. I believe that the talks that have emerged on this new principle have been a great contribution to cultivate the spirit of the OS, for to flourish his essence.
The foundations for the incorporation of this new principle seem solid and have been exhibited with clarity by Harrison Owen and others. This new principle, - which has always been there-, makes me much sense incorporate it into the opening of OS, because it provides an essential distinction to the experience of the spirit of the OS. 

But it was his appearance that made me take a fresh look to each of the other Principles. I wondered what was the equivalent contribution of each one, which led me to review the focus and the ideas associated with each. 
The focus of the first principle is people. The recognition that whatever is done will be done by people who are there. In our practice as facilitators, with my dear friend Juan Luis, enunciated this principle as "somos los que estamos, estamos los que somos" an expression that our culture promotes the idea that those are the best people to carry out the task . This focus responds to the who / whom 
The focus of the second, the action is, what is happening, what people do, the experience of what I will do - we will do, I do - we do, I did – we did. The lived process, the successful product. It responds to what

For me, the focus of the third and fourth principle is only one, is time. Present as one principle helps to raise awareness of the relationship we have with time. From the experience of time to create, to learn. To start and finish. The title of this merger could be "when it starts, it starts, When it is over, it is over." This focus responds to when 

And there is the new principle, which brings the experience of space itself. The place of meeting, whatever, will always be an appropriate place. There is the worry about whether he could be in a better place, once there, this is the right place. Responds to where. 
That's how I came to wonder the idea of welcoming the principle 5 in order to remain 4. 
But also in terms of form, I like the idea of 4 to 5 Principles. I think four is more harmonious with the circle of the OS figure. Shape 4 shows key dimensions of life: the 4 cardinal points, the 4 seasons, the 4 basic elements and others. Finally, also, that less is more. 
But maybe I'm not seeing something important to justify the two principles associated with the time necessary and useful to present them separately. If so, please ask me what they indicate. 
OS has been effective so far as it is and I believe that the Principles are 4 or 5, does not add anything significant. In any case, try my idea in the next OS to provide. 

Finally, reflect on the subject I have found attractive, I recreated the spirit of OS. 
A hug for everyone and we hope in Chile, the right place for the next Wosonos. 
Jorge Amigo 

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