[OSList] Opening space matters

Sun Dec 20 21:46:42 PST 2015

Thank you for this image, Doug. 

Christine

Sent from my iPad

> On Dec 20, 2015, at 6:38 PM, doug via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
> 
> MMP--
> 
> Think of a bowl on a potter's wheel--it is open--now it is open more--soon it will be open even more.
> 
> Even though the space is already open, we can always open it more. So opening space matters!
> 
> :- Doug. Germann
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On 12/20/2015 10:27 AM, Michael M Pannwitz via OSList wrote:
>> Dear Alan,
>> 
>> assuming that space is always open, asking what can or could open space
>> somehow doesn't fit.
>> 
>> There seems to be no need to open something thats been open all along.
>> Unless, of course, this is a scam to pull someones leg or to get someone
>> to pay you a wad.
>> 
>> So, what then on earth is Open Space Technology for?
>> 
>> It could not possibly be such stuff as increasing knowledge or wealth or
>> bliss or joy or fun or participation or passion or creativity or
>> innovation or team work or .... stuff that myriads of approaches tend to
>> and some are pretty good at it.
>> 
>> In the three decades before running into OST at age 56 I worked with
>> many approaches that were more or less successful in the stuff I
>> mentioned above.
>> In some way or another, these various approaches did not match my
>> interest in seeing teams, groups, projects, organisations or
>> neighborhoods unfold from within. There was always a need for
>> intervention. I got very good at interventions, in fact I was a
>> champion... but it kept me in the trap that I wanted to escape.
>> After all, most of what we see or experience happening in the Universe
>> gets along very well... in fact most of the stuff we see or experience
>> that happens through human intervention is not so pretty.
>> 
>> After I experienced OST, I immediately started using it... 16 times in
>> the first year and  a one-day Training form 10am to  10pm and spreading
>> the word in Berlin. Not only was I hooked but I started to delve into
>> exploring what was actually going on. Not that I found out and if I
>> remember correctly a lot of folks were interested in finding the
>> essence. It was clearly not only a meeting methodology. And one hint
>> came from the technique of doing one less thing...
>> 
>> Eventually, colleagues began to think that people in an os-event did not
>> only  self-organize whatever it was they were keenly interested in but
>> that the force of selforganisation itself found os-events to be the
>> perfect playground for its antics. The less we meddled and the more we
>> stood aside (widening the space) the better.
>> 
>> As with space being always open and there being no need to open it, the
>> force of selforganisation was always active. But it seemed to run up
>> full steam under the conditions of os-events, especially when
>> complexity, diversity, conflict, urgency and no single person knowing
>> the answer were in place.
>> 
>> So, my guess is that it suffices to have the preconditions in place that
>> the force of selforganisation needs to to fully thrive.
>> And an OST event is a tried and true way of achieving this simply and
>> elegantly.
>> 
>> At the same time any approach that supplies the preconditions and avoids
>> shrinking space for the unfolding of the force of self-organisation will
>> work.
>> 
>> Greetings from Berlin and have a grand Holiday Season
>> mmp
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On 19.12.2015 08:08, Alan Stewart via OSList wrote:
>>> G’day All
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Here’s something for you to ponder over during the Festive Season.
>>> <smile>
>>> 
>>> *Can we open space without the format of Open Space Technology? *
>>> 
>>> * *
>>> 
>>> Here’s where my question arises:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> When living in Hong Kong for six happy years until 2011 I invented a
>>> novel form of socialising which I called *Conversare* from the Latin
>>> /con versare – to turn or to dance together. /See//The purpose of
>>> *Conversare * <http://conversare.net/?page_id=1957>and here
>>> <http://conversare.net/?page_id=2002>for what it is and what it is
>>> not.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> This is now being conducted in what may well be regarded as a 'right
>>> place’ - the Adelaide Central Market
>>> <http://us6.forward-to-friend.com/forward/show?u=d2a5886c33ebf0bb6486eeb16&id=8b30b0cef0>and
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>> here
>>> <http://www.southaustralia.com/en/things-to-do/ideas-and-suggestions/markets>.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>> With regard to my question I recently took the opportunity to consult
>>> with a group of Spaceniks (Raffi’s term!) on their perspectives,
>>> expressing it in this way:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> *Is Conversare a variety of Open Space?*
>>> 
>>> 
>>> **
>>> 
>>> Which, in turn, arose in relation to two issues which I had recently
>>> noticed on the OSList:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> . Open Space wherever, however, whenever, with whomever as often as
>>> you can. /Lively thread of exchanges initiated by Harrison/
>>> 
>>> / /
>>> 
>>> . “all OS events I have seen are highly structured.” /Michael M
>>> Pannwitz (mmp)/
>>> 
>>> / /
>>> 
>>> The language becomes tricky here as to whether ‘opening space’ and
>>> OS events are to do with the principles and practice of *Open Space
>>> Technology* operating through of the format of sitting in a circle
>>> and co-creating a market place ofnominated topics related to the
>>> resolution of complex issues.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Or whether opening space can be done independently of this format.
>>> 
>>> Of the thoughtful responses received there are two which answer the
>>> question most ‘wonder fully’ and usefully for me and maybe for you
>>> too.
>>> 
>>> From Anne Stadler:
>>> 
>>> “Here's my current POV [point of view]:
>>> 
>>> Opening a Marketplace is ONE form for OST. In my view all sorts of
>>> forms exist.
>>> 
>>> On all occasions, the "space" i open FIRST is the heart space
>>> within, via emptying my mind & getting meditatively in touch with the
>>> intention I'm called to take responsibility for. Then the form of the
>>> open space will become evident as the opportunity clarifies.
>>> 
>>> A hallmark of opening space with others for me is I must explicitly
>>> invite them to "take responsibility for what you love" (Law of Two
>>> Feet) or "follow what has heart and meaning."
>>> 
>>> So conversare as you describe it, Alan, would be OS for me, if you'd
>>> invite that. In using this approach to conversare, I would encourage
>>> people to follow their hearts or intuition & find another person to
>>> talk with; asking that person what he/she cares about, & discovering
>>> the resonance/connection that exists between you.”
>>> 
>>> 
>>> From michael herman:
>>> 
>>> “i would say, absolutely, yes, alan.  this IS open and opening space
>>> -- fully within the wherever, whomever spirit.  on structure, there
>>> is the container that is offered, and then all of the decisions that
>>> are made within it.  you make the offer and leave the details to the
>>> paired participants to work out for themselves.  i think there is a
>>> big question or theme, even if it's not explicitly stated.  there is
>>> a big thing to work out together, and it's going to take everyone.
>>> maybe the articulation of this would be something along the lines of
>>> the bit you shared at vosonos, about "loving the one in front of
>>> you."  there is nothing in the definition of open space that says we
>>> have to limit ourselves to questions on which we can make
>>> "measurable" progress in 90 mins or 2.5 days.  quite the opposite, i
>>> think!  thanks for all of this.”
>>> 
>>> I have also received supportive comments from locals here about
>>> their experience of being in *Conversare* events and their ideas on
>>> potential applications. Among these:
>>> 
>>> 
>>> “Congratulations Alan
>>> 
>>> For getting conversare up and running in such an exceptional place.
>>> 
>>> And support this idea – not before its time.
>>> 
>>> An idea for our time.” /Tim Walsh/
>>> 
>>> / /
>>> 
>>> “What uniquely exciting and practical ideas. And what a way it could
>>> be for our wonderful new refugees to learn real English, and perhaps
>>> for all of us to at least feel other languages.” /Andrew Booth/
>>> 
>>> / /
>>> 
>>> Here are two closing thoughts to stimulate your 'pondering' ...
>>> 
>>> 1. Could introducing the *Conversare* process be a way to open space
>>> for all attendees to be full participants when we meet and greet in
>>> the evening prior to the commencement of WOSonOS?
>>> 
>>> Such an approach has not been used in the five of these which I have
>>> attended, beginning in Monterey in 1998. Sitting in a circle in this
>>> context did not enable everyone to be an active participant, in my
>>> experience. Seeds have been sown and are likely sprouting in Manila
>>> …
>>> 
>>> 2. Could hosting *Conversare* kind of gatherings be a new career
>>> option for lively spirits who are so inclined? If this idea catches
>>> your attention do have a good look around my blog as this has a
>>> wealth of background on its principles, practices and inspirations.
>>> See also Some underpinnings of Conversare events
>>> <http://conversare.net/?page_id=1920> and Reclaiming Conversation:
>>> the power of talk in a digital age
>>> <http://conversare.net/?page_id=2022>
>>> 
>>> With love and good wishes to you all for a joyous, peaceful and
>>> merry Festive Season.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> And warmest salaams from Adelaide where today's temperature is 44C -
>>> 111F!
>>> 
>>> Looking forward.
>>> 
>>> Go well
>>> 
>>> Alan
>>> 
>>> *Alan Stewart, PhD Social Artist Senior Fulbright Scholar Facilitator
>>> of conversations that matter and participatory fun Based in Adelaide
>>> and operating throughout Austral-Asia Em:
>>> **alan at multimindsolutions.com*
>>> <mailto:alan at multimindsolutions.com>*and **alanmstewart at gmail.com*
>>> <mailto:alanmstewart at gmail.com>* **Web: **www.multimindsolutions.com*
>>> <http://www.multimindsolutions.com>* Blog: **Conversare **Mob:
>>> +61**_413848680_** * <http://conversare.net>*Member **National
>>> Trouble Makers Union* <http://www.ntmu.com.au>**
>>> 
>>> *New book: **Time to converse - at the heart of human warmth*
>>> <http://www.multimindsolutions.com/?page_id=243>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ** <http://www.multimindsolutions.com/?page_id=243>
>>> 
>>> * * <http://www.multimindsolutions.com/?page_id=243>
>>> 
>>> *"If there's dancing count me in"*
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
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