[OSList] My Musings about time/space and OST

Thu Apr 21 11:21:53 PDT 2022

Agreed, Birgitt, what you say rings true to me as well.

Michael, you bring up bounding. I see boundaries as closely tied to purpose. For me, the naming of purpose, ideally in the form of a question, creates a permeable boundary that gives a space shape. A key part of the pre-work is getting clear about the purpose and intent and who to involve given that purpose/intent. Another aspect of hosting/facilitating is attending lightly to that boundary, welcoming who and what shows up. Bounding influences decisions individuals make about their openness.  

I once heard Harrison say something like if the purpose is too big, people get lost. If it is too small, people are too constrained and lose interest. The art is in finding just right.

One definitional note:  I think of a facilitator as someone who sees themselves as separate, apart from what happens in the space. A host accepts they may be changed by the experience - they are a part of the experience.

Peggy

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> On Apr 21, 2022, at 10:05 AM, Michael Herman via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org> wrote:
> 
> This rings true for me, Birgitt. It’s a pointing out exercise for the facilitator. Pointing out space just like we point out paper and markers.  Hinting, inviting, and reminding when surprises arise. Cuz space exists. Holding is a tricky idea, as that might run from gently bounding, just to show it’s there, to holding so tightly that it actually constricts others’ movement.  Highest practice to me is more than being aware OF the space, or even being aware IN it, but rather being aware AS space. Being space. No separation. And in that sense, not even any pointing out. Just being or embodying space. Anything can happen. Nothing is necessary. Whoever comes… whatever happens… 
> 
> 
> On Thu, Apr 21, 2022 at 11:01 Birgitt Williams via OSList <oslist at lists.openspacetech.org <mailto:oslist at lists.openspacetech.org>> wrote:
> Dear friends and colleagues in Open Space,
> 
> It seems to me that the person who participates within an OST gathering is the one who opens space for themselves to participate within the OST. A person can choose to open very little space for their personal participation, or a very expansive space. No one is opening the space for them except themselves and doing so is a personal choice.
> 
> In an organization, someone needs to open space sufficiently first of all to consider using Open Space Technology, and then following through to ensure that time is set aside so that the space is available. This is usually the senior leader(s) of the business unit or organization. Do they open space or do they set aside time and the space is open when time is set aside for the task of conversing?
> 
> The role of the facilitator of an OST. The person neither opens space nor holds space. Space exists, it simply is. It seems that the facilitator's role is to bring to the conscious awareness of people that both time and space are available. And then offering some basic givens about how to make the most use of this gift of time and space.
> 
> Your thoughts?
> 
> in genuine contact,
> Birgitt
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Birgitt Williams
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