[OSList] Reflections and an Invitation
Michael Herman
michael at michaelherman.com
Fri Sep 2 11:52:28 PDT 2011
thanks for the questions and clarifications, birgitt and harrison. i hadn't
heard the invitation in the first round, but hadn't the time here these last
few days to chase it. these four points help a lot. so a few comments on
them...
On Fri, Sep 2, 2011 at 12:24 PM, Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net> wrote:
> Birgitt – Clarity? I’ll try.****
>
> ** **
>
> Story goes like…****
>
> ** **
>
> From 50 years of thinking and looking, two conclusions and some follow-ons.
> I don’t know that they are “true” but they account for my experience.****
>
> ** **
>
> **1) **All Systems are open. All systems, human and otherwise are
> open to each other, interconnected, interdependent and always moving.
>
...the inside of everything is Open Space, so everything little thing we do,
and all that we are in every moment, matters. like we said at an osonos
once, "open space starts when we pick up the phone." or as someone once
asked in a meeting i was facilitating, "what were you doing right there at
the beginning?" to which i responded, "what did it look like?" "...it
looked like you were just *being* space."
> ****
>
> **2) **All systems are self –organizing. The open, interconnected
> systems interact and co-evolve, each system making demands and offering
> gifts to all other systems. The result is a living community which dies, in
> whole or in part, when it runs out of time/space in which to grow.
>
everybody matters, and nobody's in charge.
****
>
> **3) **Opening space provides the essential condition for continuing
> life. When space is opened for human communities, life can be renewed. This
> is an ongoing and natural process. And we have learned to initiate the
> process intentionally – which is what happens with Open Space Technology.*
> ***
>
> **
>
important, i think, to distinguish between continuing life, or maybe spirit,
and continuing structures of organizations and habits of groups and
individuals. when space is opened for human communities, life or spirit can
be renewed. open space technology is one path to the well of open space
that underlies everything, all of us and all of our structures.
> 4) **To this point, our efforts have been limited to “better
> meetings” and a little bit beyond. Next act is enhancing the naturally
> occurring opening of space, the Tahrir Squares of this world… and much, much
> more. That’s the quest, I think – and the invitation.
>
so the invitation as i'm hearing it now, is to take what we know of our
practice, our path, our well, and go off into the world, looking for more of
that which gives life, spirit, renewal -- so that we can notice, articulate,
and invite others into open space anytime, and anywhere (so says the new
5th) it might be helpful or needed. and where it might be just starting to
happen, we will know something of how to nudge it in large or small ways in
the direction of more opening.
the catch i suppose, is that in all those places we'd try to help or nudge,
probably the most important and powerful thing we can do is not a doing at
all, but being just who we are, firmly rooted in Open Space, knowing all of
that is connected to everything else. (go back to #1 above).
> ****
>
> ** **
>
> Harrison ****
>
> ** **
>
> Harrison Owen****
>
> 7808 River Falls Dr.****
>
> Potomac, MD 20854****
>
> USA****
>
> ** **
>
> 189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)****
>
> Camden, Maine 20854****
>
> ** **
>
> Phone 301-365-2093****
>
> (summer) 207-763-3261****
>
> ** **
>
> 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 *Birgitt Williams
> *Sent:* Friday, September 02, 2011 11:33 AM
>
> *To:* 'World wide Open Space Technology email list'
> *Subject:* Re: [OSList] Reflections and an Invitation****
>
> ** **
>
> Thank you Harrison…I appreciate the few sentences as this assists me in
> understanding what the invitation is that you are extending. My view of our
> present situation as Homo Sapiens is that we are, at this time in history,
> at one of the most important decision points we have ever faced. We have the
> choice, right now, in how we believe, act, and choose, to have the outcome
> of tyranny run rampant on the planet and humans subjected to it in a drama
> of predator and prey, or to believe, act and choose that which is life
> nurturing resulting in dignity, respect, and more. Open Space Technology and
> frequent use of it in all countries will make a significant contribution
> towards that which is life nurturing. This is already set in motion. I
> remember when you were in the early days of taking your training out on ‘the
> road’, often lugging a big box of self published books on top of your
> suitcase, finding friends to assist you to get this out into the world, and
> now having achieved world wide use of OST and still growing. There is
> nothing you would need to do to move this forward…it is in continued motion.
> You an amazing job my friend and that part of the legacy is going to be
> quite an interesting set of tales.****
>
> ** **
>
> And so please help me to understand what you are asking of us at this time.
> Yes, as you guessed, despite your careful words, I am still wanting clarity
> about what you are inviting us to participate in.****
>
> Birgitt****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* Harrison Owen [mailto:hhowen at verizon.net]
> *Sent:* Friday, September 02, 2011 11:19 AM
> *To:* 'World wide Open Space Technology email list'
> *Subject:* Re: [OSList] Reflections and an Invitation****
>
> ** **
>
> Birgitt – I think Open Space Technology is just a beginning, but definitely
> a useful place to start. As for hoped for outcomes, I’d settle for the
> continuation of Homo sapiens with dignity and respect. No small task, but it
> should be fun. As for the legacy bit – I don’t really know what my legacy is
> or will be. I think it is in the nature of such things that they are best
> determined by others. One way or another – including nothing at all. Or
> something. And now have I totally confused the situation? J****
>
> ** **
>
> Harrison****
>
> ** **
>
> Harrison Owen****
>
> 7808 River Falls Dr.****
>
> Potomac, MD 20854****
>
> USA****
>
> ** **
>
> 189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)****
>
> Camden, Maine 20854****
>
> ** **
>
> Phone 301-365-2093****
>
> (summer) 207-763-3261****
>
> ** **
>
> 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 *Birgitt Williams
> *Sent:* Friday, September 02, 2011 10:44 AM
> *To:* 'World wide Open Space Technology email list'
> *Subject:* Re: [OSList] Reflections and an Invitation****
>
> ** **
>
> Dear Harrison,****
>
> I have given your reflections and invitation a lot of thought, not wanting
> to rush with a response, and wanting to search my heart. I find that before
> I can respond, I wish for more information from you. You see, there is the
> tale and there are the details. I can see the details, but I am unclear of
> what the tale is. I wish to respond to the tale, and not the details.****
>
> ** **
>
> **1. **Is the tale that you are telling here your desire to leave a
> legacy beyond the legacy of leaving Open Space Technology in the world? **
> **
>
> **2. **If this is a request regarding the legacy you wish to leave
> in the world, could you please put your desire of what you wish the legacy
> to be, into about three sentences for clarity. This would assist with the
> tale.****
>
> **3. **What is the outcome for humanity that you wish to achieve
> with this legacy, assuming that the details of who works on it and how are
> taken care of without you needing to concern yourself with details?****
>
> Love to you, Birgitt****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* Harrison Owen [mailto:hhowen at verizon.net]
> *Sent:* Friday, September 02, 2011 8:41 AM
> *To:* 'World wide Open Space Technology email list'
> *Subject:* Re: [OSList] Reflections and an Invitation****
>
> ** **
>
> Suzanne****
>
> ** **
>
> Not to put words in Chris’s mouth – but I think what he had reference to
> was all those “Grand Summits” that were going to solve the problems of the
> world. Seems like everybody is doing it. I agree with Chris that their
> success rate is minimal at best, and that is being charitable. The reason,,
> from where I sit was that everybody got together and talked about what they
> had always been talking about, in the way that they had always been talking.
> Not surprisingly, doing more and more of what they had always done brought
> them to the same old places. But it is not so much the content as the manner
> of speaking. The Chair ruled and papers were presented. Genuine and useful
> conversations were at a minimum. So I don’t think it is a matter of “big” or
> “small” – but how it is all done. A conference for 7 Billion is not exactly
> a small one but for sure no Chair could rule.****
>
> ** **
>
> I understand your feelings of overwhelm. And I strongly suspect that
> anybody currently living on the planet and even remotely connected to
> something more than their family or village will have those feelings. I sure
> do. On especially bad days, I find it useful to remember that – Given all
> the things that have happened, might have happened, shouldn’t have happened
> in the history of the species Homo sapiens, it is totally remarkable that we
> are still here to complain about how bad things have gotten. No doubt we
> have a full plate, and clearly no single person, small group, or even Grand
> Summit is going to come up with the magic bullet. That said, I know we have
> assets and resources we haven’t even begun to use. Definitely not the “same
> old, same old,” but that is what makes the present moment about as exciting
> as it gets. So don’t weaken and for sure you can’t do it all yourself –
> nobody can. But collectively, calling upon the wisdom of all the people, I
> think we have a damn good shot. A deep conversation with 7 Billion folks!
> Now that is something to conjure with and it is more than a theoretical
> possibility. ****
>
> ** **
>
> So Keep the Faith Baby – and for sure it ain’t boring.****
>
> ** **
>
> Harrison****
>
> ** **
>
> Harrison Owen****
>
> 7808 River Falls Dr.****
>
> Potomac, MD 20854****
>
> USA****
>
> ** **
>
> 189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)****
>
> Camden, Maine 20854****
>
> ** **
>
> Phone 301-365-2093****
>
> (summer) 207-763-3261****
>
> ** **
>
> 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, September 02, 2011 7:57 AM
> *To:* World wide Open Space Technology email list
> *Subject:* Re: [OSList] Reflections and an Invitation****
>
> ** **
>
> Chris thank you for sharing these insights,
>
> So much of what you said resonates especially what Eleder also
> mentioned that "None of us are innocent bystanders anymore...". ****
>
>
> For days since you wrote what you did I haven't been able to get something
> out of my mind. I fear that I risk confusing myself and others as I think it
> out loud struggling for clarity on the matter. Perhaps that is Harrison's
> invitation.****
>
> ****
>
> My pondering refers to the 2 thoughts in bold:****
>
> ****
>
> 1. "Big meetings aren't going to change things." and "In working with
> clients these days *I make sure that they aren't in love with the idea
> that their big Open Space is going to change the world. It's not."*
> and.....****
> 2. *"Instead billions of small and connected conversations,
> self-organizing their own insights and futures, hanging together and
> learning how to deal with the new reality and then sharing their stories
> with others"*****
>
> I am often conflicted by this "big" and "small"!****
>
> ****
>
> Like so many people these days, I feel overwhelmed by the magnitude and
> complexity of issues that are out there at a national and global level. As
> hard as I try, I cannot ignore these. Whether it is sadness, fear and the
> feeling that my (our) efforts are like a small drop in a very big
> bucket or the feeling I have of hope and and bliss mixed with purpose and
> gratitude as we connect in small group conversations finding each other in
> the vulnerability of who we are and giving each other courage to create
> possibilities for a better future...****
>
> I think a lot about this "big" and "small".****
>
> It often seems that we cannot be satisfied making small changes in our
> small piece of the world be it our neighborhood, a department in a company,
> one hospital or one school, etc. ****
>
> ****
>
> When small groups achieve amazing things, it is often with an eye on the
> whole. It is where we find the greatest inspiration (or is that ego?). Where
> we bump into problems is when others in the whole, who are not involved,
> perceive we are fixing, imposing or intimating that something should be
> done for which they feel no ownership or connection. That we are better
> than they are. It seems we all want to invent and create for ourselves and
> yet we need each other so we are not forever re-inventing the wheel or worse
> being exclusive rather than inclusive towards each other. Bottom line,
> we're all connected. ****
>
> ****
>
> Which takes me to the *"big meetings".* For right or for wrong, I cannot
> give up on those big Open Space meetings. I have attended/facilitated some
> (300+) where it seemed there were pockets of magic in the room. Granted some
> sessions seemed better than others. Big groups less effective than smaller
> groups. Whether is was the exhiliration of watching people write their
> topics or the intimacy felt in the big whole at closing circle, I know there
> is something courageous and special happening when people let themselves be
> seen and heard where many are present. Where things unravel is afterwards at
> least from the perspective of being able to replicate this feeling of the
> whole connected as it was. What I can't always know however is how many
> hubs connected, how many individuals were moved, touched and inspired
> leading them to initiate things they would not have had the courage to do
> before. What I do know is that I have been affected much in small and in
> large groups. ****
>
> ****
>
> These days, on the basis of what I learned working with the Creative New
> Jersey Open Space team, I am initiating and planning an event that has the
> potential to be big (150 - 200 or more people) working with a large planning
> group. Until New Jersey, I had never worked with such a large planning group
> (12 - 15 people) over many months to prepare an OS event before. It was not
> always easy but there were elements of greatness that stayed with me ****
>
> ****
>
> Now I see that by having many people involved in the planning, it's as if
> we are all hosts creating the invitation, knowing more deeply the intent of
> what we want to create with others, imagining those who will attend,
> speaking of them with the anticipation of friends meeting friends,
> colleagues meeting colleagues, struggling together about what will happen
> afterwards trying hard not to predict and control, being playful, working
> through conflicts and frustrations, etc. ****
>
> ****
>
> I smile thinking that as we do this planning work now, few on the committee
> have experienced Open Space which was also the case in New Jersey. It is
> truly a giant leap of faith for them to invite people they know to a 2-day
> meeting where there are no speakers, power point presentations or even an
> agenda. Lots of bonding and trust happens because of this. ****
>
> ****
>
> In summary then, on the big and the small, I hope there are ways that we
> can have it all. I'm still learning and experimenting. Maybe in the end, I
> will come to the conclusion that small is beautiful and where I most want to
> be. ****
>
> ****
>
> In the meantime, permit me to wish that WOSonOS in Chile be as big as it
> can be! ****
>
> . ****
>
> ****
>
> Suzanne****
>
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>
> On Tue, Aug 30, 2011 at 11:41 AM, Chris Corrigan <chris.corrigan at gmail.com>
> wrote:****
>
> Thanks Harrison for these reflections from the Maine coast. I have given
> up on the power of the convened conference to make the changes that are
> needed in the world. Copenhagen was the final straw in that line of
> thought. Big meetings aren't going to change things. Instead billions of
> small and connected conversations, self-organizing their own insights and
> futures, hanging together and learning how to deal with the new reality and
> then sharing their stories with others. This is the power of the web and
> the social architectures that surround us now: we are all potential authors
> of our future and present states. None of us are innocent bystanders
> anymore, and thus we all have a stake in creating the solutions that are
> needed for the myriad acute problems thrown at us from the present moment.
> ****
>
> ** **
>
> OST is a gift in this sense, but beyond that, it gives us a sense of how it
> feels to work in that unfamiliar, strange and ultimately empowering way.
> OST points the way to a skillful and hair-raising way to address the
> emerging future. ****
>
> ** **
>
> In working with clients these days I make sure that they aren't in love
> with the idea that their big Open Space is going to change the world. It's
> not. But it might activate enough leadership that a community or
> organization ends up finding a way out of whatever pickle they are in. Come
> to this gathering...you are invited to start something, and who knows where
> it will go...****
>
> ** **
>
> Much love to you my friend, and my friends.****
>
> ** **
>
> Chris
>
> ---****
>
> CHRIS CORRIGAN****
>
> http://www.chriscorrigan.com****
>
> +1 604 947 9236****
>
>
> On 2011-08-28, at 8:09 AM, Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net> wrote:****
>
> While waiting for Irene – she has now come and largely gone – but the
> waiting went on for a week or so. And in that time I started to write a note
> to myself. That note took on a life of its own and led me to some places I
> have been pondering, but never quite reached. I shared it with a few friends
> and they seemed to enjoy. So I make bold to offer it to you my friends on
> OSLIST. I guess that is appropriate, for the note has a lot to do with Open
> Space, our collective learning, and where we might go from here. Actually it
> is an invitation… and if curious go to:****
>
> ****
>
> http://openspaceworld.com/August%20Morning.pdf****
>
> ****
>
> Enjoy!****
>
> ****
>
> Harrison****
>
> ****
>
> ****
>
> Harrison Owen****
>
> 7808 River Falls Dr.****
>
> Potomac, MD 20854****
>
> USA****
>
> ****
>
> 189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)****
>
> Camden, Maine 20854****
>
> ****
>
> Phone 301-365-2093****
>
> (summer) 207-763-3261****
>
> ****
>
> 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
> ****
>
> ****
>
> _______________________________________________****
>
>
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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****
>
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