[OSList] Byron Katie Work in Business and Leadership - February in Amsterdam
Birgitt Williams
birgitt at dalarinternational.com
Wed Jan 4 16:53:35 PST 2012
Hi Esther and all following this thread,
I agree with you about the word 'true' and 'truth', interpretations and
perceptions of the same. I also did not do Byron Katie sufficient justice.
These were only the first two questions out of five and working through all
of them is The Work and really expands perceptions. Her work is very useful
in so many ways, and for personal journey work, really gets down to getting
into genuine contact with self..beautifully.
I think that being inside of an OST meeting has the beauty of divergence,
convergence, emergence in a dance with each other, and what you describe as
that bubbling up and the generation of multiple approaches, ideas and
truths. Would it be helpful in an OST meeting as in life if the 'inner
talk' and maybe conversation included the questions of 'is this true?' and
'how do I know this is true?'? I think it would be a great part of the
personal expansion of perspectives and discernment and personal empowerment.
It is not the full set of Byron Katie questions.however, I think these can
be useful as a quick practice.
Would it be helpful if as a community of people supporting the growth of OST
and open space out into the world, we also asked more of 'is this true?'
and 'how do I know this is true?' as part of our process? I think it would
be one way to avoid dogma from developing. It seemed easy in early days not
to drift into dogma as the explorations included 'Harrisy's', a play on the
word 'heresy', of us working on doing things differently than what Harrison
would do. I watched the unfolding story on the list as more people joined
and were 'listeners' to the unfolding mythology and stories. And it was at
this point somewhere that I observed people accepting the stories as some
sort of dogma.
Is there a tendency in this community, as in most communities, to agree to
what appear to be established beliefs or doctrines? Is there a tendency to
avoid divergence from the views of the dominant group of practitioners? Are
there acceptable opinions of key people such as Harrison that are then
followed? These are partial references to the Wikipedia definition of
'dogma'. Some examples of dogma that seem to be agreed upon are 'the
viewpoint of facilitators that opening space is good for the group almost
without question'; 'we believe that OST is about self organization'; 'OST
has been given to us for free by Harrison Owen'. All of these statements
were fostered by stories along the way, became some of the mythology about
OST and this community, and may be true and may not be true. The dogma
comes into play if this goes along without being questioned by those
continuing to join this community of practitioners.
I would appreciate your thoughts,
Birgitt
From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
[mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Esther Ewing
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 5:47 PM
To: 'World wide Open Space Technology email list'
Subject: Re: [OSList] Byron Katie Work in Business and Leadership - February
in Amsterdam
Hi Birgitt:
Yes, I got what you were saying. I was wondering about a specific example.
However, let me respond to the word, "true".
When I hear someone ask if something is true, I wonder if we are thinking
about something in the absolute - sort of an absolute truth about a
situation whereas I often think that there are multiple truths going on.
(And, it's also possible that concurrent with this particular wondering, I
may be missing the point of your question.)
I can think of an example. Today, in a book club gathering, I heard someone
say in a tone that suggested finality, that the book, Unbroken, was not
suitable for a book club choice because it was just a factual, (non-fiction)
story - a collection of facts and so it wouldn't generate a rich discussion.
The book in question is the recounting by a woman of her father's experience
in the second world war when he was captured by the Japanese and held in a
prison camp.
Regardless of the topic, what came to my mind was the question of what
"truth" actually is and what "facts" actually are. So setting aside the
ethno-centricity of the topic of the book, how do we actually "know" things?
Who says what is true and what is not?
I've heard it said that history is written by the victors which certainly
suggests that there would be at least one alternate point of view - that
held by those who have lost a war.
I've also heard it said that he/she who writes the minutes/proceedings of a
meeting, holds a certain power because it takes more collective effort to
get them amended than it does to write them.
Having said all of this, I like Katie Byron's two questions. I would add a
third: Is this true for you? (Or for myself: Is it true for me?) This allows
for multiple realities and perspectives which is, of course, what OS is most
suitable to generate and makes for very rich decision-making.
After 9/11 when President Bush warned other countries that we were either
with him or against him, it struck me very strongly as a demand to see
things in black and white, whereas there are multiple shades and many other
choices. It certainly felt true for him, I imagine, but it didn't feel true
for me. And I felt that in making it an either/or set of choices, there was
a risk of a paucity of possibility in the decision-making.
The beauty of OS is the opportunity to bubble up and generate multiple
approaches, ideas and truths. Do you agree?
With great respect,
Esther (Ewing)
From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
[mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Birgitt
Williams
Sent: January-04-12 5:03 PM
To: 'World wide Open Space Technology email list'
Subject: Re: [OSList] Byron Katie Work in Business and Leadership - February
in Amsterdam
Hi Esther,
I think I didn't emphasize what I wanted to correctly in my email. I think
that there is a tendency to dogma when we buy into stories, myths, and 'the
way it is done' when we don't ask those questions highlighted by Byron Katie
as the first two questions in The Work. And so, my emphasis was on 'what
would happen if we as a community made a practice of asking 'is this true?'
and 'how do I know this is true?'. We would then, I think, manage to dance
away from a natural tendency to dogma and to following dogma.which is I
think what Harrison was wanting from the beginning.
Best regards and happy new year to you also,
Birgitt
From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
[mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Esther Ewing
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 4:33 PM
To: 'World wide Open Space Technology email list'
Subject: Re: [OSList] Byron Katie Work in Business and Leadership - February
in Amsterdam
Birgitt:
Can you give an example of what you are seeing as dogma?
Best regards and happy new year,
Esther (Ewing)
From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
[mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Birgitt
Williams
Sent: January-04-12 4:07 PM
To: 'World wide Open Space Technology email list'
Subject: Re: [OSList] Byron Katie Work in Business and Leadership - February
in Amsterdam
Dear all,
In early years of learning OST from Harrison, I found that he was emphatic
that he did not want to do anything that created 'dogma'. In the years since
then, I have watched what I believe is the creation of dogma by people who
become involved with OST. I am not judging this. I am fascinated by how it
happens despite an intention to avoid it. Dogma seems to be created by the
stories that are told, retold, remembered, and passed on until they become
'truth'. I have been fascinated for most of my life by the power of myth,
story, and patterns that humans use to create personal and collective
operating systems. I have watched myth, story, and patterns develop amongst
those who work with OST. I have watched as some things appear to have
evolved to being 'dogma', the very thing that Harrison wanted to avoid. I
don't believe it could be avoided despite best efforts because people have a
tendency with myth, stories and patterns to create dogma. I have found this
development in this community of people to be quite fascinating as it has
been an intentional study for me based on what Harrison wanted to set into
motion.
As well as personal use of the Work by Byron Katie, I find it very helpful
to use for business and group work. What happens if as a community of people
who embrace Open Space and Open Space Technology, that we make frequent use
of:
Is this true?
How do I know this is true?
Two of the great questions in The Work. If we apply even these two questions
in our conversations about OST and open space, I believe we could remove
ourselves from what could be perceived as 'dogma'.
Caitlin, thanks for bringing Byron Katie's work forward.and Suzanne.have fun
with it all.humor is a key to the great discoveries I am sure you will find.
Blessings to all,
Birgitt Williams
www.dalarinternational.com
From: oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org
[mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Suzanne Daigle
Sent: Wednesday, January 04, 2012 11:30 AM
To: World wide Open Space Technology email list
Subject: Re: [OSList] Byron Katie Work in Business and Leadership - February
in Amsterdam
Dear Caitlin,
Strange coincidences happen in life sometimes or maybe it's all just meant
to be. As I immersed myself more and more into Open Space, peeling the
layers of what it invited in me and seems to invite in so many others, I
often felt myself to be "truly not good enough" as a facilitator and in
others roles. Not fun and quite painful. Oh indeed that little voice of
judgment was alive and well!
It is one thing to intellectually understand "letting go", "not
controlling", not expecting "outcome", but to live the "being of it" is a
whole other kettle of fish. If it is said that Open Space is like coming
home. The coming home for me has been a coming home inside myself, surfacing
stuff that ain't always pretty, that can feel quite confusing, frustrating
and actually kinda depressing sometimes. Of course, on the other side of
that is lots of bliss and joy.
So like everything else, I decided to tackle the "let's fix me" and figure
this out. (grin! grin!). Someone had mentioned Lynne Forrest's work to me
http://www.lynneforrest.com/html/the_faces_of_victim.html. On the Drama
Triangle which is an integral part of her work, I could easily see myself
as the "born rescuer" which is really just another form of "victim". Funny
how much society reveres rescuers, fixers and having all the answers -- an
exhausting way to live and lead or worse, an arrogant way to be as if people
can't take care of themselves! Lynne speaks of "Victim Consciousness" based
on Dr. Stephen Kharpman's work and "Observer Consciousness" which is about
Bryon Katie work.
Now finally to get to the point of "the coincidence" with your email
Caitlen, well that morning as I was reading Lynne's book, she recommended
downloading Byron Katie's worksheets at the same website you mentioned :
http://www.thework.com/index.php. I had printed the sheets quickly thinking
I would look at them later and then that evening your email came. I read it
quickly without giving it a second thought.
Later that night, Byron Katie's name came back into my consciousness and I
had this nagging little thought. "No, I said to myself, it can't be!". An
email that connects OS and Byron Katie? I rushed to my computer to read
your email. Could it have been the same name? It was! Like wow, what a
coincidence! Well I sure was paying attention now. Felt like the universe
was giving me another whack on the side of the head...AGAIN!
Another "be prepared to be surprised" moment in my life which has been
happening a lot since Open Space -- never really noticed stuff like that
before, too busy fixing, rescuing and being my corporate self. Now
coincidences seem to happen all the time and in those simple acts of
synchronicity, I just feel so connected with the universe and life.
Yes it's been said that facilitating Open Space is a life long journey. I'm
on this journey now, welcoming whatever shows up, the hard parts and fun
parts. Living more in the now, less in the past and the future.
By the way I then Googled Caitlin on this OS list and saw earlier emails of
hers talking about Byron Katie. Others in our community had added their
voice of support to this wonderful work and how well it fits with Open
Space, with facilitation, etc. Just goes to show that sometimes we're not
ready to see or hear. I wasn't ready then but I sure am ready now. So
thank you Caitlin.
>From a very grateful, Open Space colleague! Perhaps others will take a
second look at your email following my very long "up close and personal"
story. A wonderful way to start 2012!
Suzanne
On Mon, Jan 2, 2012 at 9:18 PM, Caitlin Frost <caitlin.frost at gmail.com>
wrote:
Hello friends,
For any of you interested in the Work of Byron Katie - as a powerful tool
for working with limiting beliefs, and opening mind and heart in leadership,
organization and change, she is hosting a first ever intensive in The Work
for leaders and people in business. It is taking place in Amsterdam -
February 8th to 11th.
I have found this work to be profoundly powerful in supporting my practice
as a facilitator and host - and very aligned with Open Space. For me it
supports opening space in my own mind and heart - so that I can invite and
hold that space with others more fully. It is a brilliant tool for working
with fear and attachment to outcome, and opening to possibility in places
that feels stuck.
And Byron Katie is quite an amazing person to have the opportunity to
experience live. I am sure it will be very engaging with many opportunities
to bring your self and work into this deep practice.
More info here: <http://www.thework.com/events.php?eid=94#94>
http://www.thework.com/events.php?eid=94#94
Maybe I will see some of you there!
Happy New Year,
Caitlin.
--
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS in the transformative inquiry process of The Work:
Being Peace, Salt Spring Centre of Yoga, April 13 - 15, 2012; Beyond Belief
<http://goog_407455611> , Nova Scotia
<http://www.windhorsefarm.org/pages/programs-events/beyond-belief.php?utm_so
urce=Windhorse+Farm+List&utm_campaign=d3b9498abc-Early_Winter_2012_at_Windho
rse_Farm&utm_medium=email> May 4-6, 2012;
<http://caitlinfrost.ca/workshops/the-work-at-work/> The Work at work. What
is Holding You Back? Edmonton May 26 & 27, 2012
www.caitlinfrost.ca
<http://berkana.org/berkana_events/aoh_utah/> The Art of Participatory
Leadership, Utah, February 8th - 11th
If you really knew how beautiful you are,
you would fall at your own feet.
Byron Katie.
CAITLIN FROST
Coaching and Facilitation
Certified Facilitator - The Work of Byron Katie
Principal - Harvest Moon Consultants Ltd.
www.caitlinfrost.ca
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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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