[OSList] Awe of conversation

[Alan Stewart]

G'day All

Here's an item about feelings of awe in everyday life. Which may be seen as
a complement to Harrison's gift of his reflections on Awe of the Sacred
<http://openspaceworld.com/AweOfSacred_HarrisonOwen.pdf>on our list
recently. Much to savour in this.

And also as a reminder of what is missing in the 'busyness' of much of
modern day life.

It comes from a program called *Life Matters *on Australia's Radio National.

See *http://radio.abc.net.au/programitem/pgo6RMAnXG?play=true
<http://radio.abc.net.au/programitem/pgo6RMAnXG?play=true>*

Listen particularly from 3.37 minutes to hear comments on experiencing
feelings of awe in everyday conversations with people, among whom are
strangers. Resonate with you?

With this kind of thought in mind, initially intuitively, I have invented a
novel form of socialising. Essentially co-created contexts in which
conscious conversing happens. Starting in Hong Kong where I lived for six
years from 2005.

This is hosted events in public places. Based squarely on principles of *OST
<http://www.openspaceworld.org>* of which I have been a facilitator since
1994. With the difference that, instead of coming together to address a
complex issue, the focus of everybody present
is on 'the other'. By this I mean that the core activity is having a meal
with someone not met previously. Everybody present does this, all
participate fully. With 'opening' questions such as 'What has attracted you
to be here'? And 'Who are you'?

What I have called *Conversare*, from the Latin *con versare - to turn or
to dance together* has now been experienced by lively spirits in diverse
places around our little planet, 3rd from the sun. See* Feedback
<http://conversare.net/feedback/>* and, for example, *Conversare in
America. <http://conversare.net/conversare-in-america/>*

 And this comment from a participant in a *Conversare* event which I was
invited to host in London, UK in July 2016:


"In these times of rapid change, simply connecting people for
distraction-less conversation is profoundly impactful. Conversare provides
an exceptionally simple approach for the return to glory of community trust
and connectivity.

For me, I arrived not knowing what to expect and I left feeling connected
and supported by good people and great conversation."
*John Hovell: Head of Organisation Development, BAE Systems plc*

Also this from a participant in an event in Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia a
few years ago may strike a chord:
“Conversare is simple and deep, a spiritual adventure.”


*Firti Rasmita *
Now here where I am back living, Adelaide, Australia, mainly in a
remarkable space - the right place! - the *Adelaide Central Market*.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SE-U2OyVuw> Which is reputed to be one of
the world's best produce markets. Equally remarkable is that my colleagues
and I are the only people to use this place regularly after trading hours
on weekday nights in the nearly 150 years of its history. It is only open
for business on Friday nights.

The most recent event was last Monday 20 November. For an overview see *here
<http://conversare.net/conversare-now-evolving-in-wondrous-ways/>*.

At the conclusion several participants said to me how much they had
appreciated the experience of conversing over dinner with a stranger. One
confided, *awe fully,*  <smile> "I am a shy person and find great
difficulty in talking with strangers. But here tonight I loved doing this."

As you may sense there are a variety of implications arising from the
concept - and associated practice-  of *Conversare *with its potential
applications for promoting conscious and empathetic connecting. Among these
are it:

. is another way of opening space. Last year (2016) I posed a question on
the OSList “Can one be a space opener in contexts in which the purpose is
to relate well to others present rather than to address a complex issue
with an expectation of creative outcomes?”

See *here* <http://conversare.net/?page_id=2621> for responses on this from
several experienced OST practitioners. As you may appreciate these are
thoughtful affirmations that, at its core, *Conversare* is another way of
opening space for respectful and imaginative interacting.

. brings people of diverse backgrounds into the kind of connecting which is
'awesome' (sic) - and great fun!  For more see *here*
<http://conversare.net/conversare-for-an-adventure-in-delightful-connecting/>and
*here
<http://conversare.net/conversare-substantial-benefits-for-those-who-appreciate-its-personal-and-professional-significance/>*

. can be brought to bear for a wide range of purposes (such as 'Meals to
Wheels'; Meet your fellow tenants in high rise apartments); and also  or in
a wide variety of public places

. is likely that you can imagine others ...



*What do you consider could be the significance of enabling people to
participate in 'awesome' conversation in contexts in which they feel
respected and secure?  *


With good wishes to all, including those now recovering from Thanksgiving.
<smile>


Looking forward

*Al   *



*Alan Stewart, PhD Social Artist Facilitator of conversations that matter
and participatory fun*

*Senior Fulbright Scholar *

*Blog: **Conversare* <http://conversare.net/>
* Web: **Multimind Solutions* <http://www.multimindsolutions.com>

*Mob: +61(0)413848680 <0413%20848%20680>*



*Member: **National Trouble Makers Union* <http://www.ntmu.com.au/>


<http://www.ntmu.com.au/>


*Residence: Adelaide, South Australia, since 1975 With time away in Hong
Kong (2005-2011)  *

_________________________________




"
*Whenever we treat each other well good things happen."Al Stewart*
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