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

Mon Sep 30 11:08:15 PDT 2013

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 

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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 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)

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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