[OSList] Wave Riding in OZ

Tue Nov 26 08:59:10 PST 2013

There are a lot things that I love about what Michael Wood is doing, but the
heart of my affection goes to his concluding line: "On the third morning of
our time together, after they've actually experienced a couple of days of
self-organised action learning,  I invited them to reflect on the question,
'was Jesus a Waverider'? Then the pennies start to drop at a really deep
level. When we drop it down to that level I hope it will help them to hang
in there with the living experiment. No longer just a passing 'fad' about
how to run a meeting,  but a more profound way of going with the flow of
reality."

Whether or not the question, "Was Jesus a Waverider" would resonate in your
circle depends on a lot of things, but the act of reflection, which Michael
invites, is critical I think. The strange thing about working in Open Space
is that prospectively it appears improbable or impossible to many groups.
And almost without exception (no exception in my experience), the same
groups of skeptics find the experience in Open Space so productive and
natural that they will often hardly notice what has taken place. This is
just wonderful, if for no other reason than that it would seem to prove that
Open Space is a natural act. Nothing new, nothing strange - just living at
the cutting edge. All to the good, but there is a loss.

When people fail to take notice, or more importantly, reflect on what
happens in Open Space, it is all too likely that they will think of it as
just a momentary high, a one of a kind...the sort of experience encountered
with fads of all sorts. Even worse, they may attribute it all to Open Space
Technology and never take a look under the hood where they might discover
that OST is really something of a fraud. It really doesn't "do" anything,
except to remind us of what we already know. With this realization, the
"momentary high" can become a lifetime experience. Nothing new, nothing
strange - just life.

For me there are always two goals in "doing" an Open Space. First there is
whatever issue or opportunity the assembled folks want to pursue... build a
building, create some software, renew an organization... And then the most
important one: To awaken an ongoing passion for responsibly growing life
24X7. When that goal is achieved, you can forget about OST. No longer
needed.

Bringing people to this point is not hard, but it does take a little
reflection. There are many ways to do this, and my personal favorite is to
claim 5 minutes at the close, then using The Medicine Wheel (see User's
Guide pg 153) as a guide, I point out the passing scene for their
reflection. They always get it, and some may want to explore more deeply,
which may be done at a later date. Your way will be different, and of course
you can make a longer program out of the effort, as Michael has apparently
done. And not incidentally Michael, we are waiting to hear about your
efforts. What you've told us so far was just a tantalizing teaser J

Harrison 

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854

USA

189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)

Camden, Maine 04843

Phone 301-365-2093

(summer)  207-763-3261

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 Harrison Owen
Sent: Friday, November 22, 2013 3:44 PM
To: 'World wide Open Space Technology email list'
Subject: [OSList] Wave Riding in OZ

Our friend, Michael Wood, dropped me a note with a wonderful story. By all
rights I should have asked him to share, but the story is so good, I just
couldn't wait, and Michael, if I need to apologize, please consider it
offered. J

So it is all about Wave Riding in OZ with a most unlikely set of characters.
Anglican (Episcopalian) clergy! Being one of those, I can tell you from
personal history and experience that there are few groups in this world more
staunchly conservative and resistant to change. This is not surprising as we
have had many hundreds of years to perfect our stance, and in an odd sort of
way, we do it rather well - staying exactly the same. Thank you. The thought
that such a group could find meaning and purpose in the arcane art of Wave
Riding is marvelous...not to say mind blowing!

And to all you folks who may wonder whether or how traditional sorts in
business and government might respond to opening a little space and hopping
a wave I can tell you that stranger things do happen. Case in point. And
actually, those business and government folks are just pussy cats and late
comers when it comes to resistance to change. 

But enough of that. On to the story... (with many thanks and apologies to
Michael)

"Over the last few months it's been fun to support some Anglican Church
folks (lay and ordained) in Brisbane get into Waveriding  mode (Brendan
McKeauge has also been working with some Catholic Education people in
Brisbane), and I have another program in February. As you know, clergy
generally and certainly Anglican clergy, were taught the intricacies of
control. Now, increasingly  they know it doesn't work. If they don't know
it, then a lot of them are moving into internal melt down as the external
system of the church unravels around them. Fortunately a few of them are
recognizing that control doesn't work and it's some of those guys and gals
that I've started to work with, sharing OST and Waveriding principles and a
bit of work with Talking Circles. They're lovin' it. Saying they're feeling
revitalised already.

It's early days of course and plenty of potential to be swamped by the
existing culture. But so far I've worked with 30 people, 45 by the end of
February. They are keen to support each other and have already started to do
things differently, and see the world differently. On the third morning of
our time together, after they've actually experienced a couple of days of
self-organised action learning,  I invited them to reflect on the question,
'was Jesus a Waverider'? Then the pennies start to drop at a really deep
level. When we drop it down to that level I hope it will help them to hang
in there with the living experiment. No longer just a passing 'fad' about
how to run a meeting,  but a more profound way of going with the flow of
reality.

The primary sponsor in Brisbane, Peter Catt is the Dean of St. John's
Cathedral in Brisbane. He has been the local champion and sat in on the
first program. In the closing circle Peter said, 'some people ask me how I
can be Dean in a place the size of St. John's and look so relaxed all the
time [I'd been thinking precisely that].it's because I believe that reality
looks like that [pointing to the four principles and one law on the wall]. I
think the definition of wisdom is to run with the way the world actually is,
and stupidity is to fight against it'.  Sums it up pretty well doesn't it."

And don't you just love Peter Catt, The Dean! 

Thank You Michael!

Harrison

Harrison Owen

7808 River Falls Dr.

Potomac, MD 20854

USA

189 Beaucaire Ave. (summer)

Camden, Maine 04843

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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