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I have heard it mentioned many times (and Harrison mentioned this again
recently) that we don't exactly why OST works. I believe that there are
several theories that can explain why it works so well. Suzanna offers
one explanation (a theory that I did not know before), but I am sure
there are many others.<br>
<br>
Coming from a conflict resolution background, I can think of at least a
couple of possible explanations myself. I am not a theorist so I am not
going into detail. One of the most popular conflict theories is based
on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The Hierarchy consists of (the lower
ones being more basic):<br>
-Self Actualization Needs (full potential)<br>
-Ego Needs (self respect, personal worth, autonomy)<br>
-Social Needs (love, friendship, comradeship)<br>
-Security Needs (protection from danger)<br>
-Physiological Needs (warmth, shelter, food)<br>
(Wikipedia has some more information <a
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow's_hierarchy_of_needs</a>
)<br>
<br>
I am myself not convinced that this order applies to everyone, and at
all times, but nevertheless OST is a great vehicle for people to
satisfy many of the "higher" needs.<br>
<br>
Another factor that mediators (and facilitators etc.) always have to
play close attention to, is the dynamics of power, and many (if not
most) group
decision-making processes have to deal with the challenge of some
people trying to dominate with their power and others trying to
compensate for their lack of power (often through disruptive means).<br>
<br>
The amazing thing with OST is that the Law of Two Feet takes care of
all this. You don't have to be dominated by someone else because you
can always leave. You can join whatever group you want. You can also
propose your own topic and take responsibility for it too. Very
empowering.<br>
<br>
I say all this without having experienced an OS event yet myself, but
it all makes complete sense to me. I am sure there are others that know
theory a lot better than I do, I would imagine that if someone so
desired, it would be very possible to make a detailed theoretical
explanation of OST.<br>
<br>
I hope this makes sense.<br>
<br>
Búi<br>
<br>
<br>
Suzanna Stephan wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid329317.81985.qm@web51715.mail.yahoo.com"
type="cite">Hello all,<br>
<br>
I guess I feel initiated enough to jump in after attending my first os
event - the New England SOS hosted by Frank Deitle and facilitated by
Blake Mills (confirming my suspicions after being an oslist voyeur for
quite some time that you are a wonderful and unique group of people -
it was a lovely experience) so I'm going to jump in and add to the
concept of os as therapeutic...<br>
<br>
As a student of The Human Design System I've become quite keen on the
dynamics at play when we are not living in accordance with our design.
(The Human Design System has scientifically documented the authenticity
of not only the impact of the time of birth on human behavior but as
importantly confirmed that we each have a genetic blueprint that
impacts our system energetically, manifesting itself as personality
preferences, traits, challenges and purpose.) Hopefully I haven't lost
you yet, please stay with me...<br>
<br>
So much of our experiences in life conditions us away from our nature,
our natural rhythms. We get lost in the have to's, shoulds, etc., that
we lose the sense of these natural tendencies. Our current social
indoctrination and subsequent organizations that we work for/with just
reinforce the enslavement. So an os event may sometimes be the first
time in a very long time that adults get permission to reaccess their
inner authority. When I came across ost and ai last summer, it
immediately clicked that these were opportunities to provide the
environment to reaccess our nature without necessarily having to get
into the details of the esoterics which can scare a lot of mainstream
folks. The law of 2 feet to me is people acting on that inner authority
(which may accurately be called the Law of Self Responsibility) and
will not only keep you healthy but at the right place at the right
time...which some might describe as fulfilling your purpose. Who
doesn't feel better when you get to follow your own natural rhythms vs
the dictates of others. <br>
<br>
Challenge is, like a caged animal that never leaves once the door is
opened, we have to relearn what we shut down. I saw this in action when
people are first given the opportunity to operate in open space, many
looking for permission that what they want to do is ok. Over time you
could see the loosening of the constraints. So from my view the os
process is like training wheels back to our true self. Quite theraputic
indeed. <br>
<br>
Thanks for the opportunity to share and for the richness that you all
bring both here and to the world.<br>
<br>
Please keep me posted on any events happening or facilitation needed in
the Mid Atlantic Area.<br>
<br>
Warmly,<br>
Suzanna Stephan<br>
Virginia Beach, VA<br>
757.621.3560<br>
<blockquote class="replbq"
style="border-left: 2px solid rgb(16, 16, 255); margin-left: 5px; padding-left: 5px;"><br>
I know that there are many such stories in the OS chronicles - such <br>
'liberation' is a joy to see and costs nothing in therapeutic fees - <br>
a quiet (and inexpensive) revolution indeed!<br>
<br>
Cheers<br>
Brendan<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
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<br>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
<p><font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="-1"><strong>Búi K.
Petersen,</strong> <em>Cert. ConRes.</em><br>
mediator and facilitator</font><br>
-------------------------------- <br>
<b><font color="#cc6600" face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="+1">c.solutions</font></b>
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Vancouver, B.C. Canada </font><br>
<font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="-1"> Phone: 604.724.4954<br>
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