<html>
<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
p
{margin-right:0in;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.Style1, li.Style1, div.Style1
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle21
{font-family:Arial;
color:red;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;
text-decoration:none none;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue>
<div class=Section1>
<p><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:
Arial;color:red'>Marei Wrote:</span></font><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'> 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.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Not a doubt about it – people do
decide. And even when they decide not to decide (avoid the decision) they have
decided. And of course, with a decision comes a responsibility for the
consequences. It would appear that some people would rather avoid the decision,
responsibility, and the consequences. But I believe they are simply stuck with
all three. At least in my own life, that has been the case for me. I have spent
most of my life urging people to make their decisions, creating some space where
they can make the decisions, and once the decisions are made, accepting the
fact of those decisions. I think you are precisely right – doing just
that is what Open Space is all about. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Having said all of that, I find it very
difficult, and probably unadvisable, to avoid any consideration of the total
process. This, after all, is how we learn. And part of that learning process
(at least my learning process) is the exercise of what I would call critical judgment.
In an Open Space, whether as participator or facilitator, I am quite clear that
I must let go of any attachment to particular outcomes – after all, “Whatever
happens is the only thing that could have!” But that does not mean
that I am unaware of those outcomes or the processes that led up to them. Nor,
I think, should I avoid the formation of an opinion -- what I would call making
a critical judgment. To be sure I will get myself into a world of trouble if I
ever assume that my critical judgment is the only one, or even worse, the “right”
one. Good critical thinking requires that every judgment is always up for
review. A little hard on the ego for sure – but very necessary if we are
ever going to get even close to that funny thing called “truth.” </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Along the way, however, it seems that some
judgments come pretty close to being accurate. At least close enough to help us
through our daily tasks. I think we call that experience. I should judge, for
example, that placing a bare hand on a hot stove is not a very good idea. Is
this always true? Well, usually unless your dinner is burning, in which case
you have a choice. Let the dinner burn, or burn your hand saving the dinner. In
any case, the choice is yours as is the responsibility and also the
consequences. But even allowing for all the possible exceptions, I find no
particular problem in warning my young child (when I had a young child) to keep
their hands away from hot stoves, knowing full well that they will try it at
least once and burn their fingers. I can accept that, but if they keep doing it,
I confess that questions begin to form in my mind about the level of
intelligence.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Parenting and Open Space may seem miles
apart (or maybe not), but after 20 years of observing Open Space, some judgments
have formed both in terms of the process itself, the broader questions of why
the process works (self-organization), and how we might work with both (the
process and self-organization). And when those judgments appear to be confirmed
with some regularity, my level of confidence grows – albeit always held
open for revision.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>When I see people using Open Space “just”
as a meeting management tool, I don’t have much problem in suggesting
that there might be broader applications and implications. As I said to an
executive of a large multi-national, “I think you need to understand that
you have just bought a Ferrari – but you are using it to go to the corner
market. The car will get you there, but that may not be the best use of the
car.” And when I see people performing at inspired levels in an Open
Space and also having fun – only to return to the drudgery of Monday
morning where they are miserable – I must honor their choice for sure.
But I also feel more than a little sadness. And if they were to ask me what I
thought the options were, I would tell them my thoughts and experience.
Actually, I might just tell them anyhow – in a general sort of
hypothetical way </span></font><font color=red face=Wingdings><span
style='font-family:Wingdings;color:red'>J</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>You asked me what I feared. As I grow
older, I think I fear less and less – or certainly I am afraid of many
fewer things. I am not afraid to be wrong, and Lord knows I have had plenty of
experience in being wrong. But I have learned that every time I am wrong the
sense of anomaly and error almost inevitably drives me to some renewed sense of
possibility, some new rock to turn over with the hope of finding real treasure.
I am concerned, but not really afraid, that I will not be my full self exercising
my capacity to take things as they are (acceptance) and driving towards their
improvement with the exercise of critical judgment or challenge. Both –
Acceptance and Challenge. All the time. As much as I can, knowing that I will
never quite make it – but it is a hell of a lot of fun trying.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Marei, Thank you for your questions.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'>Harrison</span></font><font color=red
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:red'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2
color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:red'>Harrison Owen</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2
color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:red'>7808 River Falls Drive</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2
color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:red'>Potomac, Maryland 20845</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2
color=red face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:red'>Phone 301-365-2093</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'></X-SIGSEP><font
size=3 color=red face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:red'><!--StartFragment --><X-SIGSEP>Open Space Training <a
href="http://www.openspaceworld.com/" eudora=autourl>www.openspaceworld.com</a>
</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
color=red face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:red'>Open
Space Institute <a href="http://www.openspaceworld.org" eudora=autourl>www.openspaceworld.org</a></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
color=red face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:red'>Personal
website <a href="http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm"
eudora=autourl>http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm</a></span></font><font
color=blue><span style='color:blue'><br>
<a href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</a></span></font><font
color=red><span style='color:red'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center'><font
size=3 color=red face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:red'>To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the
archives Visit: <a
href="http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html" eudora=autourl>http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html</a></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original Message-----<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b> </span></font><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>OSLIST</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> [mailto:</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>OSLIST</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Marei Kiele<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Sunday, February 27, 2005
6:26 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> </span></font><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>OSLIST</span></font><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> on inviting and asking
questions (Re: Management - Turtles)</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'> </span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>Dear Harrison et al,</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>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.</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>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?</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>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?</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>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.</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>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.</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>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?</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><br>
"Harrison Owen" <<a
href="mailto:hhowen@comcast.net%3e">mailto:hhowen@comcast.net></a> wrote:<br>
> 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.</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'><br>
Now, here is my sharing:</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>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.</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>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. 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". </span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>I know an open space
experience can be like falling in love. It was for me - and I've heard others
say the same. 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.</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>My proposal and strategy: To
create situations where people can feel and where they are able to
appreciate what they feel. To be able to create that, I have to stay
connected with my own feelings. Whenever I suceed to feel what I <strong><b><i><font
face="Courier New"><span style='font-family:"Courier New";font-style:italic'>really</span></font></i></b></strong>
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.</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>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?"</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>My personal answer at this
moment: "Whenever it starts is the right time." </span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>Probably it's the same for
you? And what could make accepting and practicing that more easy?</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>Looking forward to
your response and to everybody elses sharings !!</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>Marei</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>-- </span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>When love is deep, much can
be accomplished.</span></font></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><em><i><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'> Suzuki</span></font></i></em></p>
<p style='margin-left:.5in'><font size=2 face="Courier New"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Courier New"'>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></span></font></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
*
*
==========================================================
OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
------------------------------
To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options,
view the archives of oslist@listserv.boisestate.edu:
http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs:
http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist