[OSList] Opening space matters

Thu Feb 11 21:46:46 PST 2016

Yes Doug,

while space is always open it sometimes seems cramped and almost shut down.
In my experience OST has always led to expand space... mostly quite 
dramatically and  at one time so drastically that a day after the event 
the sponsor shut down his organisation, out of the blue it seemed.

For my work, its important that I try to remember that it is always 
open. Thats the starting point. I dont have to do anything about opening 
space. I did nothing to have the space open, it already is in that mode.

It can be entered into and if it appears tiny, OST will enlarge it so 
that the force of selforganisation can do its stuff more easily.

By the same token whatever space is available can be contracted, 
specifically by exercising control... never to zero, however.

At first, I befriended the analogy to working on a batch of clay on a 
potters wheel. Getting into it a bit more, I found it not working for me.

As a potter I see myself forming a vessel out of a batch of clay. There 
is no initial space of the kind I think of when looking at the space for 
selforganisation. To be a vessel it needs to have three dimensions.

I wonder how many dimensions a space has with the phenomenon "force of 
selforganisation" added and as we just discovered the forces that 
Einstein predicted a hundred years ago  doing its thing in that space 
since the beginning of time, and, another wonder, even before the 
beginning of time.
I wonder whether my perceptions, assumptions, ideas, concepts, etc. on 
the phenomenon we are dealing with can be of use. I can "see" the 
effects of the phenomenon I call "force of selforganisation" and how 
"space" plays into it.

However, I no longer agitate myself with my condition of not "grasping" it.

Greetings from Berlin
mmp

  21.12.2015 02:38, doug via OSList 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"*
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________ OSList mailing list
>>> To post send emails to OSList at lists.openspacetech.org To unsubscribe
>>> send an email to OSList-leave at lists.openspacetech.org To subscribe or
>>> manage your subscription click below:
>>> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
>>> Past archives can be viewed here:
>>> http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org
>>>
>>
> _______________________________________________
> OSList mailing list
> To post send emails to OSList at lists.openspacetech.org
> To unsubscribe send an email to OSList-leave at lists.openspacetech.org
> To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:
> http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
> Past archives can be viewed here:
> http://www.mail-archive.com/oslist@lists.openspacetech.org

-- 
Michael M Pannwitz
Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin, Germany
++49 - 30-772 8000

Check out the Open Space World Map presently showing 402 resident Open 
Space Workers in 67 countries working in a total of 143 countries 
worldwide: www.openspaceworldmap.org