[OSList] OST boundaries? constraints? foundations? (was: Open Space in schools)

Sun Oct 6 11:36:12 PDT 2013

[This is (in unfinished form) in my drafts after so long that it
is probably useless now. But we never know for sure...]

Sorry Lisa and all, I have changed the subject again... 

It is common in this list to go again and again to some topics.
And that is a very good practice, because it allows us to review our
convictions and assumptions from time to time. And the questions that Dan
formulated are very good, indeed.

But, in my opinion, it is also interesting to keep track of
what has been previously discussed. This topic reminds me of many dialogs in
the past but, in my memory, the most clear is a discussion about the
"Foundations of OST". If one goes to the Archives and makes a search
for "foundations" one will discover 10 messages, dated from 2009, all
with the subject «Anti Laws of OST -
Foundations of OST?» ;-)

If I may repeat myself, during that dialogue (and other similar
ones in the same period) I have tried to clarify (mainly to myself) what are
the preconditions that are needed so that we can say that an event is
"facilitated in OST”.

During the same period (2009) I have done some experiments of my
own, based on Harrison's assertions of "one less thing to do" and
that "the principles are something that always happens" (if the space
in really open).

The first experiment: in a series of events, during the opening, I
have not mentioned the 4 principles at all (they were 4 at the time) but I
have mentioned the law and the events were similar to all the others (where I
mentioned the principles). In only one experiment I have mentioned neither the
principles, nor the law: all worked almost like the others, but I found that a
much lesser number of people were bumblebeeing or butterflying around. So I
decided not to repeat that experiment.

My conclusions at the time: to state the principles is not
needed to have an OST event. But to state the law is helpful.  

So, I wondered what the preconditions (foundations) are really
needed so that we can say that a certain event is an OST event.

If you want to see the musings at the time, go to the Archives. If
you consider that it could be of interest to have a new dialog about that and
review that list, please do so. I will catch up wend I will have some free
time.

Regards

Artur

________________________________
 From: Harrison Owen <hhowen at verizon.net>
To: 'World wide Open Space Technology email list' <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> 
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2013 7:08 PM
Subject: Re: [OSList] (was) Open Space in schools - now:	OST	boundaries?	constraints?

No problem Dan. I can’t tell you why other people mention them, but my reason is a simple one. It’s a nice thing to do. It all goes with the Invitation... 

So – were I to invite you to my birthday party I could simply say “Come for my B’day 12/2/13 at noon, Inn at Glen Echo.” That has all the essential information, but it is a little bit abrupt. It might be nice to give some hint about what could happen – just to peak your interest and make you feel more at comfortable. Maybe something about fabulous guests, surprising happenings, total freedom to enjoy...to say nothing of Martinis!

So with the 5 Principles and the Law. They were in fact generated by simple observation. Over the years, and indeed from the beginning, they always seemed to happen. Even when they weren’t expected. And I am totally convinced that they would still show up if never mentioned. They don’t created the openness of the space – they simply acknowledge it. So why even mention them? It’s a nice thing to do. And once mentioned people get rather attached to them. I’ve tried to get away with silence, and have been pulled up short every time...

So what to do? Just be nice 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)
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 Daniel Mezick
Sent: Monday, September 30, 2013 1:31 PM
To: oslist at lists.openspacetech.org
Subject: Re: [OSList] (was) Open Space in schools - now: OST boundaries? constraints?

I request help and guidance. Will you help me understand the rule of the Open Space meeting format?

If the 1 law & the 4/5 principles are natural and self-evident, I am confused about the need to mention them whatsoever. 

If the 1 law and the 4/5 principles are not natural and not self-evident, I am confused about how mentioning them is optional.

The 1 "law" (quotes) and "4/5 principles" (quotes again) are either self-evident, or they are not. I wonder which is the reality.

See also: 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_law
http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_rights

On 9/30/13 8:05 AM, Harrison Owen wrote:
Dan – I have to agree with Lisa. As said multiple times before, the 5 principles and the Law are descriptive and not prescriptive. Or at least that is the way they popped into my head: simple observations of what was transpiring, as opposed to directions concerning what should be taking place. I have always said “Principles” and “Law” with a smile, because if you really think about it, they are neither (principle or law). More like, “funny things that happen on the way to the future.” There is an essential humor, sense of fun in Open Space – and if we ever lose it, we begin to take things much too seriously LI call it High Play.
> 
>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
> 
>From:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] On Behalf Of Lisa Heft
>Sent: Monday, September 30, 2013 3:22 AM
>To: World wide Open Space Technology email list
>Subject: [OSList] (was) Open Space in schools - now: OST boundaries? constraints?
> 
>Dan - I have taken the liberty of adjusting the title of this topic to more closely fit the changed content.
> 
>And: I look forward to hearing how others respond…
> 
>1/ I see the Law and Principles and *invitations* not as constraints.
> 
>2/ And not 'required' as in - some of us do not use the 5th Principle at all. However, the saying, inviting and simple explanation of these invitations help to create the structure (as there is a structure, just not the structure that a lot of people have experienced in meetings) / to create the container. What I mean by that is that I have observed that to not offer the invitation of the principles and law (even in a group of people who completely know and do Open Space) is not inviting presence and possibility in the same way. So different dynamics then occur.
> 
>And in saying that offering these invitations and explaining this process help to create the container, I mean a living, breathing, nutrient-rich container, perhaps similar to some containers like cellular walls, a bird's nest, a lake, a poem, or a wisp of vapor… which have some form within which there is flow. 
> 
>3/ I notice that some super-good OST facilitators can use more words to explain things, and some use less. And the experience can be amazing. In my observation, it is not the amount of words, it is the complete true understanding of inviting Opening Circle and agenda co-creation (which include a brief explanation of principles and law and process), and getting / staying out of the way so the participants can do their own work, see their own patterns, feel their own co-leadership, and so on.  
> 
>What do others think?
>
>Lisa
> 
>On Sep 29, 2013, at 10:53 PM, Daniel Mezick <dan at newtechusa.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>Lisa says:
>"...
>The other thing is that for any kind of facilitation, I would not name boundaries or constraints. It sets peoples' minds in the framework of boundaries and constraints - rather than opportunities and possibilities.
>Like 'think outside the box' - you are still thinking…of the box! when / because someone says that. "
>
>Dan says:
>I notice that:
>1/  the 1 Law and 5 Principles of OST are constraints-in-fact. Are they not?
>2/ we are required to describe these as OST Facilitators; at least, according to the OST Guide. Right?
>3/ the general idea for the Facilitator is, "the less said the better".  No?
>
>I think OST is a most wonderful game. http://newtechusa.net/agile/how-games-deliver-happiness-learning/
>
>Dan
> 
>
>
>
>
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