[OSList] Opening space matters

Sun Dec 20 23:08:14 PST 2015

Alan,

Thank you for raising this topic!

I've become more and more confident that "Open Space Technology" is only 
one of many potential technologies that opens space.

Yes, the Universe is self-organizing since before the beginning. Even 
so, it still seems to work to sit in a circle and open a marketplace, etc.

Electricity has always been around. It's still a good idea to set up our 
circuits properly, and pay attention to Ohm's law, etc. etc. etc.

I love it that Anne has thought about opening space in her own heart, 
and that you are looking at opening space in one on one conversations 
with your Conversare (which I have experienced and enjoyed). I'm glad 
others are seeing this as a growing area of study, awareness, and 
discovery! I look forward to learning and hearing more.

     Warm Regards,
     Harold

On 12/19/15 5:19 AM, Anne Stadler via OSList wrote:
> LOVE YOU!!  Thank you dear Alan! Et al.
>
>
> Your Self
> Occupy
> 100%
>
>
> A world that works for ALL is a world of love made visible
>
> Phone: 206-459-0227
> Skype: anne.m.stadler
> www.InClaritas.com <http://www.inclaritas.com>
> www.CharterforCompassion.org <http://www.charterforcompassion.org>
> www.ProtecttheSacred.org <http://www.protectthesacred.org>
>
>
> On Dec 19, 2015, at 8:08 AM, Alan Stewart <alan at multimindsolutions.com 
> <mailto:alan at multimindsolutions.com>> 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
>>
>>

-- 
Harold Shinsato
harold at shinsato.com <mailto:harold at shinsato.com>
http://shinsato.com
twitter: @hajush <http://twitter.com/hajush>
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