[OSList] Opening space matters

Mon Dec 21 02:17:59 PST 2015

Dear Barry (and Alan),

First Barry, what you wrote expresses so much of what evolved inside of me
because of this simple process of Open Space. It is so not wonky! I was one
of those who had unlearned or had been unaware and unconscious of that
which has been around for 13.8 billion years. The training wheels of Open
Space sparked something so precious connected to passion, responsibility
and a deeper love for everything and everyone. It happened slowly and I'm
sure what got ignited has so much more room to grow over the course of my
time on this planet.
The saddest part is that I could not know what I didn't know (my head was
packed full with ruminating stuff that took up so much space) and even now
I still forget when my old reactions (fears, hurts, control) pop up again
as they always will but less.
What you call personal power to acknowledge their true passions, I see as
acknowledging the essence of who we truly are, that which makes us unique
yet not separate. So many nuances about which I would have had absolutely
no clue 6-8 short years ago though I can't help think it would have found
me if Open Space  had not found me first.
And then there is invitation and that's where love comes in. To invite from
a place that holds space to meet people where they are. No judgment, no
pressure, no forcing or pushing... Just noticing, seeing ourselves in the
other, letting go what feels so upsetting and wrong and noticing instead
what those unique passions might be in the other and inviting from that
place. Perhaps it will be connected to the most important issue, that which
is urgent and complex that requires diversity. Or perhaps as is the case
with Alan (and I feel it too myself increasingly) from the heart, in more
simple ways of just inviting strangers, friends and family to break bread
together to enjoy each other's company. Opening little and big spaces at
the market and in so many other places to have delightful Conversare
conversations.
Whether we invite one by one or many at a time, invitation as it is
extended is already opening a space, a space where someone can accept or
decline and where connection and caring for each other is happening ...by
holding space lightly as we invite.

Whether at 44 degrees Celsius or 24 degrees Fahrenheit, so many ways to
feel things and see things.

Thank you Nashville, Australia and y'all who spoke up on this thread.
Gratitude erupted because of you.
Suzanne
On Dec 19, 2015 9:24 AM, "Barry Owen via OSList" <
oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:

> For me, the more I think about it which I have now for 30 years, I think
> it is all the same and it is all open space as long as... It begins with
> true passion / heart and the taking responsibility for that passion through
> invitation to others who share it. Perhaps this is egregious over
> simplification, but it's what works in my mind today. I used to get upset
> when I saw people do something that didn't match with my understanding of
> open space and called it open space. That no longer bothers me because now
> I know that as God continues to say and has always said its all open space.
> For me the technical parts of it are just framing structure which I call
> training wheels to help people who have been unlearned from the natural
> course of human interaction and self-organized solution oriented
> communication. In a sense, a tool, as it were, to help the participants
> remember their own personal power such that they can acknowledge their true
> passions and take responsibility through the action of invitation.
>
> As I am currently walking my dogs on a 24 degree Fahrenheit morning
> speaking voice to text into a smartphone, this email may make zero sense to
> anyone. But it is what's in my head right now :-)
>
> This message has been sent from my mobile device and therefore may be
> somewhat wonky.
>
> Barry Owen
> Real Estate Strategist
> Principal Broker & Founder
> Pareto Realty, LLC
> 4012 Hillsboro Pike #5
> Nashville, TN 37215
> 615-568-2123
>
> http://BarryOwensBlog.com
> http://ParetoRealty.com
> http://WhyJoinParetoRealty.com
> twitter @barryowen @paretorealty
> Instagram - barryo06 - ParetoRealty
> Facebook
> Linkedin
>
> Pareto Realty is #NashvilleProud #HomeGrownRealEstate
> On Dec 19, 2015 8:13 AM, "Harrison Owen via OSList" <
> oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
>
>> Alan.... I hate to tell you, but you are only 13.7 (I think it is now
>> .8?) billion years late. It’s been Open Space since the beginning began.
>> We’ve just been a little slow to recognize it. OST provides absolutely
>> nothing new. Just an essentially brain dead way to ease ourselves into what
>> we naturally do anyhow. Some people even pay us to do all that! But you are
>> absolutely correct: “Opening Space Matters.” Living in a closed space make
>> claustrophobia seem like paradise, or so I’ve found.
>>
>>
>>
>> Harrison
>>
>>
>>
>> Winter Address
>>
>> 7808 River Falls Drive
>>
>> Potomac, MD 20854
>>
>> 301-365-2093
>>
>>
>>
>> Summer Address
>>
>> 189 Beaucaire Ave.
>>
>> Camden, ME 04843
>>
>> 207-763-3261
>>
>>
>>
>> Websites
>>
>> www.openspaceworld.com <http://%20www.openspaceworld.com>
>>
>> www.ho-image.com
>>
>> OSLIST To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives
>> of OSLIST Go to:
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>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* OSList [mailto:oslist-bounces at lists.openspacetech.org] *On
>> Behalf Of *Alan Stewart via OSList
>> *Sent:* Saturday, December 19, 2015 2:08 AM
>> *To:* World wide Open Space Technology email list; The Art of Hosting
>> *Subject:* [OSList] Opening space matters
>>
>>
>>
>> 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 of  nominated 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, PhDSocial ArtistSenior Fulbright ScholarFacilitator of
>> conversations that matter and participatory funBased in Adelaide and
>> operating throughout Austral-AsiaEm: **alan at multimindsolutions.com*
>> <alan at multimindsolutions.com>* and **alanmstewart at gmail.com*
>> <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>
>>
>> *"If there's dancing count me in"*
>>
>>
>>
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>
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