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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>There is little question that The Question is more than
questionable. In fact if it is questionable it ain't The Question. Or something.
The importance of The Question derives from the fact that Open Space is a
question. Or maybe better - The Question represents the first opening of space.
In order to do its job it must be relevant (to the group), sufficiently specific
so that they know what is at issue, sufficiently open so that there is plenty of
room for exploration (space), provocative so that business as usual is set on
its head, and attractive or nobody will come. Crafting such a question is a
wonderful opportunity to work with the group involved. It is the old question of
why do you really want to do this (OS) anyhow, and what would be different if
you did? But oddly, I have never had much difficulty coming up with the question
-- I think because I really don't worry about the words. My focus is on the
group -- the pain, the pleasure, the hopes, the fears. The Question just
seems to pop up in the conversation, usually when you aren't expecting it to do
so. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>As for examples of good questions -- I am sure
everybody has their favorite. Mine happens to be, "Fixing Arizona --
Issues and Opportunities?" And if you don't have a clue what that might be
about, I think that is just the point. The Question is so context specific that
unless you know the context, or better yet, are part of that context -- The
Question doesn't grab you. And of course, you would not be attracted to that OS
-- which is also the point. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>For more on Questions you might take another look at The
User's Guide for some specifics. Also my article at <A
href="http://www.openspaceworld.com/Opening%20Space%20for%20The%20Question.htm">http://www.openspaceworld.com/Opening%20Space%20for%20The%20Question.htm</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>You might also enjoy a book by a friend of mine, Marilee
Goldberg (now Adams, I think) called something like "The Art of the Question." I
believe Barrett-Koehler published it. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Harrison</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Harrison Owen<BR>7808 River Falls Dr.<BR>Potomac, MD
20854<BR>USA<BR>301-365-2093<BR>207-763-3261 (summer)<BR>website <A
href="http://www.openspaceworld.com">www.openspaceworld.com</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=wcraiggilliam@hotmail.com
href="mailto:wcraiggilliam@hotmail.com">Craig Gilliam</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
href="mailto:OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU">OSLIST@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU</A>
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, June 28, 2005 6:14
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Craig--Questions</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>As I work with OS, it seems that the question (call it calling
question or <BR>theme) around which the OS emerges is critical. The
appropriate question <BR>carefully worded seems to hold the potential to take
a group to those <BR>unexplored regions.<BR><BR>Is there any collection or
list of questions people have used/developed <BR>through OS? I think it
would be a helpful and fascinating list.<BR><BR>Is there any good literature
on what makes for a provocative question that <BR>allows groups to move to a
deeper levels of emotional and spiritual
process?<BR><BR>Thanks!,<BR>Craig<BR><BR>*<BR>*<BR>==========================================================<BR><A
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