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Dear Friends and Colleagues,<br><br>
Later this week, we will all be remembering where we were on the morning
of September 11, 2001. The shock of disbelief, a moment in which
everything stood still, including our breath -- and then -- with the
return of breath -- out came... For most people receiving this note,
there was pain, anger, anguish. But it is well to remember that for many
others, the reaction was quite different. Joy and cries of Victory in
celebration of blows struck in retribution for abuses, perceived and
real. In an instant, the lethal divisions of our world became agonizingly
clear.<br><br>
During this past year, I found myself on a journey in the company of many
others, Looking for Peace, and the means to achieve it. For myself, it
has been a rich and painful trip. Old notions dissolved in the heat of
present reality, and new approaches shimmered like a desert mirage, only
to disappear upon approach. Part of this journey was intensely physical,
taking me through The Middle East and Serbia where I met wonderful people
who's daily experience was anything but peaceful. And part of the journey
was deeply interior, as I faced my own dark places. Along the way, I made
notes to myself, mostly for therapy, but some of these notes seemed to
have broader interest, and I shared the results with many of you.
<i>Almond Tree Blossoms and Tears</i> captured the experience of The
Middle East. And then in early June I offered my perceptions of a most
remarkable gathering in Rome with 50 incredible Palestinians and
Israelis. <br><br>
The year is almost done, but the search for Peace has just begun. This
incredible 365 days has concluded (for me) with the completion of a new
book, which I call, <i>The Practice of Peace</i>. It has no publisher at
the moment, although I am hopeful that my publisher Steve Piersanti, and
all the good folks at Berrett-Koehler, will consider the project. In the
interim, I make bold to freely offer you a DRAFT copy -- for two
reasons.<br><br>
First reason -- I think it might actually do some good. As you might
expect from me, the core practice has a lot to do with Open Space. Hence
we are not dealing with a new, untried approach. Second reason -- I need
your help. I believe the approach is solid, and the presentation is in
pretty good shape. But those are my thoughts, and I need yours. What
works? What doesn't work? etc, etc, etc.<br><br>
If you would like a copy, send me an email. I will send you the DRAFT as
an attachment in any one of four formats, PDF (Adobe), RTF, DOC (Word),
or WPD (WordPerfect). The book is 150 pages (.45 meg) -- so make sure you
want it before you ask. <br><br>
I look forward to hearing from you.<br><br>
Harrison <br>
<x-sigsep><p></x-sigsep>
<div align="center">Harrison Owen<br>
7808 River Falls Drive<br>
Potomac, MD 20854 USA<br>
phone 301-365-2093<br>
Open Space Training
<a href="http://www.openspaceworld.com/" eudora="autourl">www.openspaceworld.com</a>
<br>
Open Space Institute <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/" eudora="autourl">www.openspaceworld.org</a><br>
Personal website <a href="http://www.mindspring.com/~owenhh" eudora="autourl">www.mindspring.com\~owenhh</a><br><br>
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