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

[Harrison Owen]

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 L I 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)

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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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