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<TITLE>Re: OSLIST Digest - 24 May 2006 to 25 May 2006 (#2006-137)</TITLE>
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<FONT FACE="Times"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:18.0px'>On 5/26/06 2:00 AM, "OSLIST automatic digest system" <LISTSERV@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU> wrote:<BR>
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</SPAN></FONT><BLOCKQUOTE><FONT FACE="Times"><SPAN STYLE='font-size:18.0px'>So if Open Space is a dance, where does that take us?<BR>
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Into the land of metaphors...<BR>
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Dancing, navigating, bird flight, talking sticks, circles... All these are metaphors for experience. They help us understand. They speak to us in ways similar to ritual and relic.<BR>
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When I dance I want to concentrate on the relationship with my partner, and I hope my partner wants to do the same. I want to celebrate the connection and possibly make it richer. I have favorite dance partners because we know when we dance, we “get” each other. Sometimes I try new dance partners. I may discover new things this way.<BR>
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Sometimes the person I dance with wants only to be with herself. She wants a partner because the dance requires two, but she’s really onto concerned with enjoying herself, not being “us”. This is no fun. In fact, it can be exhausting.<BR>
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Sometimes we dance in large groups, especially at important events. We all celebrate our togetherness and commitment to each other. Someone starts the dance and then dance takes over; no one is in charge, and everyone seems to know what to do. Precise execution of the dance steps is forgotten by some, and others may have never even tried this dance before, but everyone gets carried along somehow, and it all works out. Laughter and perspiration often ensue. Eventually the music stops, and I may be a little sad. But it all stays with me, if I want it to.<BR>
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But these “places” are probably not the only ones dance takes us to.<BR>
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Ralph Copleman</SPAN></FONT>
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