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<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Dear Harrison et al,</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2> I've
been quite for a while as in the last months I have dedicated my main attention
to the work with beliefs: how they shape our world view and what
interesting and self-sabotaging beliefs I had and how that made me feel; but more on that
some other time.</FONT></P>
<P> Why I write now and here is because reading some of the
mails from the last weeks I more and more got the feeling something is actually going in a very
strange direction. I couldn't figure out, first, but have found out, now. And: remembering
'tell the truth without blame and judgement', I have decided to tell
my personal truth. Unfortunately we don't know eachother personally and I am aware that in written
words the possibilty to misunderstand eachother is always higher than in personal dialogue. I'll try
my very best to express myself carefully; but open. Here is my provocative question: With all
due respect and appreciation, dear Harrison, could it be you
are not fully walking your talk?</P>
<P>What I read and understood from the "Turtles" and
"Manager" mails was quite some dissatisfaction with people who after
an open space meeting don't admitt "yes, self organization is reality,
consciously using it works much better and yes, you're right, we
will change our way of working from now
on". That was putting it simple, but did I get
you right, basically? And how does this expectation align with
the principles and basic ideas of open space?</P>
<P> What I love most about open space is the radical acceptance. Within a
meeting I can and am asked to do whatever I want. And whatever my choice is - I
am accepted with this choice. If I choose a session, fine - if not, as fine. It's
up to me. And no convener can ever blame me for not joining.</P>
<P>Transfering this in our current situation: People come to an open space
meeting. They enjoy it. They achieve a lot, they learn, they just live. And:
THEY decide. And if they afterwards decide to continue in the old way -
isn't it just their decision and responsibility? To me any judgement,
critizism or sarcasm is not only against all the principles of open
space; it is counterproductive, not inviting, not creating a safe space but
closing it.</P>
<P>From myself I have learned that I start being critical and judgemental whenever I am afraid. There
is always a feeling of fear underneath. And I serve myself and others best by asking:
What am I afraid of? And to allow myself to feel this fear. Today I gave myself the gift of reading
some mails again from 2003 after OSonOS, and I loved them, and I want to invite all
of us to share more - not only our thoughts but also our feelings. This
is to explain why I am doing what may be an unusual thing
to do on this list; but the second question I want to ask
is: Is there anything you are afraid of? And what is
that?<BR></P><FONT face="Courier New"><FONT size=2><FONT
color=#000000>
<P></FONT></FONT></FONT><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2><BR> "Harrison Owen" <</FONT><A
href="mailto:hhowen@comcast.net>"><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>mailto:hhowen@comcast.net></FONT></A><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2> wrote:<BR></FONT><FONT face="Courier New"
size=2>> Anyhow, I am hoping for some sharing of thoughts, experiences and strategies<BR>> which might enable us to take full advantage of what we have learned in Open<BR>> Space, and more to the point -- to enable others to do the same.<BR></FONT></P>
<P><BR> Now, here is my
sharing:</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>
I
want to accept those who decide for the belief of "controll is
it". This does not mean my
believing in letting go and self organization is wrong. Only we have
different viewpoints. They have their reasons to stay with their belief; who am I to
know better? I have not walked in their mocassins. And
continue living my personal truth and invite others to join me.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>I
want to have patience and compassion for
others who have experienced something wonderful and beautiful that touched
them deeply - and who afterwards probably just don't dare to believe this
was 'reality' and this is possible to be transfered into every day
life.</FONT><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>
I have experienced situations where I got in touch with something and needed time to overcome my first "it's to good
to be true". </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>I know an open space experience can be like
falling in love. It was for me - and I've heard others say the same.</FONT><FONT face="Courier New" size=2> Falling in love is something has happens on the level of
feeling, not intellectually. In my perspective trying to convince someone with
arguments and with analyzing does not work - not on a deep level. Logic
can help to calm the mind; but the real power, the believing, the trust that leads to
changes comes from intuition and feeling.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>My
proposal and strategy:
To create situations where people can feel and where they are able to
appreciate what they feel.</FONT><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>
To be able to create that, I have to stay connected with my own
feelings. Whenever I suceed to feel what I <EM><STRONG>really</STRONG></EM>
feel, I usually do the right thing.
I trust and am trusted, and I am able to reach people.
And I continue inviting them - for example to open space.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>By coincidence I read about the teacher
archetype in Angeles Arrien's 'The Four-Fold Way' just last night. Question 8 on
page 128: "Of Harrison Owen's 'four immutable laws of the spirit,' which is the
most difficult for me to accept or practice?"</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>My
personal answer at this moment: "Whenever it starts is
the right time." </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Probably it's the same for you? And
w</FONT><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>hat could make accepting
and practicing that more easy?</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Looking forward to your response and to everybody elses sharings !!</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Marei</FONT></P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>
<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>--
</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>When love is deep, much can be
accomplished.</FONT></P>
<P><EM>
Suzuki</EM></P>
<P><FONT face="Courier New" size=2>Marei Kiele <BR>o p e n i n g s p
a c e <BR>Arndtstr. 43, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany<BR>tel: +49 - 521 - 521 7643
<BR>mob: +49 - 171 - 810 7161 <BR><A
href="mailto:mareikiele@web.de">mareikiele@web.de</A></FONT></FONT></P></BODY></HTML>
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