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Sorry I haven't been too active here recently. Too many miles, hopes,
fears, joys and many more unmentionables. The last three weeks have seen
me wander thought Israel, Palestine, Estonia, and lastly Sweden. We did
three full training programs (3-4 days each) in a little more than 12
days. There really has to be a better way, or I will totally blow my
reputation for doing less and being more. However, I think it was all
worth it -- at least to me. And some funny things happened along the way.
For example, the extended discussions I had with my Palestinian friends
prior to the program about the inadvisability of using the word Peace.
Seems like it has been used to the point of oblivion, and worse -- it
always seems to precipitate a heated political discussion when mentioned.
The very opposite of Peace. But how do you conduct a program with the
title, <i>Practice of Peace</i>, and never mention the word? Particularly
when all your overheads are laced with the "P"
word???<br><br>
So, I resolved to sin boldly -- albeit carefully. When we started things
off in Ramallah, I told the story of the gathering in Rome. Fortunately
some of the participants had been there, so when the unbelievable
overwhelmed common sense, they rose magnificently to the occasion with
their own descriptions, and they even used the "P" word.
Sensing some small advantage, I asked the rhetorical question
-- What on earth would drive an overfed, aging American to
cram his body into a cramped airplane seat for 6000 miles with a
destination of Ramalleh, even as his president was trying to start a war
in the neighborhood??? Insanity ? Search for Peace? Take your
pick.<br><br>
Anyhow, we talked about Peace -- and more importantly, I know we
experienced it in those magic moments that Open Space inevitably
provides. In a land where respect, trust and hope all seem to have
gone on holiday -- all three showed up. Remarkable.<br><br>
My time with Tova and Avner, my wonderful Israeli colleagues, was no less
rich. We did the training program as advertised, but the high point for
me occurred on the 3rd day, when "graduates" from the preceding
year joined us. There are now some 40 people in the area prepared to open
space, with Tova and Avner leading the way. Numbers get a little foggy,
but I believe that between the two of them space has been opened some 65
times in the past year. Hell that is more than I have done in the last
five years! And it is happening all over the place -- towns, businesses,
the air force, the army, police, NGOs... Should you ask the obvious
question -- does this bring peace to the region? -- my answer is a
resounding YES ... if not all at once, then certainly a little bit at a
time. Every time space is opened, peace breaks out -- even under the most
trying circumstances.<br><br>
After the training program, which was conducted near Jerusalem, Tova,
Avner and I journeyed south to Tel Aviv to meet with a most remarkable
group -- The Refusnics. These are serving Israeli officers and enlisted
personnel who have refused to serve in The Occupied Territories. They are
more than willing to defend Israel from external enemies, but draw the
line at being an army of occupation. This movement started just a year
ago, when 50 folks signed a letter to the new papers proclaiming their
intentions. As of this moment, more than 500 have seen fit to join the
original signers. Their time has not been an easy one, as many have spent
considerable periods in jail for their stand. Tova had offered to
open space for them, for even though their number was growing some rough
edges were appearing, and it seemed useful to take stock of present
position and future possibilities. That plan was put on hold because of
the elections which were being held, but doubtless the right time will
appear.<br><br>
And then it was on to Estonia, where Mikk Sarv and his wonderful wife,
Marju gathered a terrific group of fellow citizens from business, NGOs,
and university students. Also included were a small band of First nation
people from Russia. It seems that Mikk had provided some Open Space for
them several months before as they considered their roles and their
futures in Russia. I wish I could have been there. It all happened in the
forest with teepees as breakout rooms. <br><br>
After almost three weeks on the road (in the air -- whatever) I made it
back home on Monday. Passing through Customs, I found myself answering
the usual question about the nature of my business in a rather odd way.
The agent queried, What is your business? To which I answered,
"Peace." He said, "Peace of land?" I said, "No.
Peace between my brothers and sisters." "Who are you with? --
he continued. "Me." I said -- knowing that if I ever told the
truth about the incredible band of wonderful people all over the world,
he would surely lock me up. He walked away, shaking his head. I probably
shouldn't have done it -- but it surely felt good at the time.
<br><br>
Harrison<br><br>
<br><br>
<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://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm" eudora="autourl"><font color="#0000FF">http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm</a><br><br>
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