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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Kaliya wrote: “</span></font>At the
same time when I ran a 'datasharing summit' for techies and opened the morning
circle with please share your name and one word about how you are feeling this
morning. One of the guys who works for a large internet company on the
east coast shared with me at the end of the day that that was slightly
unconfortable for him (he was not saying we should not have done it just that
it had nudged on his edge a bit). I think you underestimate where people's
edges are for this kind of stuff.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>For whatever it is worth, I share the
gentleman’s sentiments. Perhaps it is our common East Coast Heritage, or
possibly something deeper and darker? </span></font><font size=2 color=navy
face=Wingdings><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:navy'>J</span></font><font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> But truth to tell every time I find myself in one of those “community
building, people comforting, getting to know you sorts of things at the start
of a gathering I find myself looking wistfully at the coffee pot and wishing
that I had extended my stay out in the hall way.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>As you might gather, I never “do”
something like that at the commencement of an Open Space. In addition to
whatever personal preferences I might have, there are quite practical reasons.
The first is that my attention span is so ridiculously short that by the time
the 3<sup>rd</sup> person has uttered the magic formula (name and feeling) I
have already forgotten the 1<sup>st</sup> two people. And truth to tell I don’t
really care how everybody is feeling at that moment (they know and that is
sufficient), I just want to get to work. Well, I guess that is personal too,
and doubtless part of that up-tight, buttoned down, East Coast Syndrome. But
there really is a practical reason here (I hope!)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The real thrust and focus of an Open Space
is (so far as I am concerned) Doing the Business – whatever that might
be. And the quicker you get to that “business” the better. So when
it comes to the “opening” keep it short, and simple. This is not
about doing a process, having “face time” – or anything else.
It is all about opening some space so folks can go to work. And when that has
happened, get out of the way. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>It really isn’t about YOU! It is all
about the people and their “business.” And anything that
stands in the way of doing business is questionable. I think.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>And now about the “Circle.” (“</span></font>Yes
AND it doesn't mean that circles are the answer to 'everything'.”) <font
size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Well, maybe not everything! But for a lot of things! The
simple fact of people sitting (coming together) in a circle randomizes everything.
People sit where they have the space – and not according to some
predetermined view of how thing ought to be. Strangers meet strangers, out of
which grows strange new conversations – which never would have happened
with the old crowd sitting in a bunch. No assigned seating -- something new.
And in the newness comes innovation. Not pre-designed, programmed – all emergent.
Works just about every time. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Harrison<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> <st1:PersonName
w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName> [mailto:<st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Kaliya Hamlin<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, September 19,
2007 1:34 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName w:st="on">OSLIST</st1:PersonName>@LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: The Disaster of
Un-Facilitated Open Space (very long)</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>Dear Peggy,</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> Your response brought up some things I thought I would
share. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I hope they will be received as constructive and providing a
different view point rather then critical. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>Could we have made better use of
those who brought knowledge about the</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>new story to the gathering?
Surely. SHOULD we have, in some particular</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>way? </span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>This is the SAME question from the Evolutionary SALON and it didn't
happen there either. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>If you are calling an event and have an point of view a thesis a
"STORY" and then you don't share it well with the people coming when
the get there- 'because everyone is equal' and has 'their story' and you
'don't want to impose your story' well that is crazy green logic (in the
spiral dynamic sense of the word). You called the gathering - SHARE YOUR
THING so that they know why you called them there. Then they can go off with it
or not in the open space but to have this secret unknown 'thing' that
called some people but others don't really have any knowledge of it seems out
of balance. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>I have come to believe that
strategic conversations, such as we had at</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>the Story Field Conference, are part
of a larger trend, a floating</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>conversation, with different threads
of a collective exploration slowly</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>converging, bringing together
different cohorts who are exploring</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>similar questions. Through
these seemingly unconnected iterations, we</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>are growing a new and vital
coherence among us. At least, that’s my</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>story. And it begins,
indirectly, to touch on this question of what it</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>takes to get things done.</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The reason we need to build new intellectual architechure is so that we
can GET THINGS DONE. Chattiness to feel all 'groovy' and 'high' that we
connected to some other people who share some of our world view is not 'enough'
to address the collective challenge. I think it is very fair to ask
questions about getting things done and effectiveness. The nonprofit change the
world sector is largely infected with a mindset that ignores effectiveness
because they are 'trying'. I would encourage those of you who want to
understand more about this to look in to rockwood institute's work work.
One of the reasons they were founded was to get nonprofit leaders to be
more strategic and effective through better leadership. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold'>Getting things done.</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> A friend of mine that I reconnected with at Burning Man is
involved with several transformational 'networks' of leaders thinking about the
shift in culture we are/will be going through. He asked the question
early on when they gathered how much time do you want to spend doing stuff vs
falling in love and the answer he got back was 20/80 this was frustrating to
hear - if the reason you invested time and energy to participating was to
really transform the world - everyone just wanting to stare into each others
eyes to get their 'love high' well that wasn't the point (it speaks to the need
for those of us doing this work to have our needs for love and affection,
caring and community met but not try to bring those needs into action oriented
fora). He like me 'fall in love' with the people I work with.
In time he got the group/network to shift the ratio to 80/20. With this
ratio we feel activated and able to get things done with people AND fall in
love with them because we are actually interacting and doing things with them.
This may seem radical for the 'sit in the circle' 'emergence' people but
it is a reason that your 'way' doesn't work for 'everyone'. I use the
circle all the time and my community is used to it and finds it valuable
for getting things done. I know in time they will fall in love with each other
but that is not why they are there and I don't think it is 'why' we should hold
gatherings around transformative change the world topics. (this is about my
community being in love with each other - just look at the photos <a
href="http://virtualsoul.org/blog/2007/06/19/expressions-of-a-milestone-at-iiw-2007a/">http://virtualsoul.org/blog/2007/06/19/expressions-of-a-milestone-at-iiw-2007a/</a>)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>there is also the other problem in these one-off communities of
promising to much and things not really coming out of them. I think it is
important to think about how we cultivate containers for communities to really
grow and emerge. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'> </span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>I think the current fragmentation of
our society grew out of feelings</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>that there were no avenues for
voices that don’t fit accepted norms.</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>How can I feel connected to a larger
whole when there is no space for my</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>point of view? At the extreme,
violence is a consequence of this</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>fragmentation; if there isn’t
a space for voices with different stories,</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>then it plays out in other forms.</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Yes AND it doesn't mean that circles are the answer to 'everything'. I
was at the EarthDance festival this weekend and there was so much 'othering'
language around the people out their in the "dominant" culture. I
felt sooooo sensitive to the way the 'hippies' talked - it was very
judgemental. It was like you are talking about my friends and the people
I work with and cultures I am a part of and respect deeply. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>At the same time when I ran a 'datasharing summit' for techies and
opened the morning circle with please share your name and one word about how
you are feeling this morning. One of the guys who works for a large
internet company on the east coast shared with me at the end of the day that
that was slightly unconfortable for him (he was not saying we should not have
done it just that it had nudged on his edge a bit). I think you underestimate
where people's edges are for this kind of stuff. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>With the level of extreme emotionality and 'processing' that can happen
at these gatherings (there are various reasons for this) I think we have to
become clearer about how "the collective manifestation of individual
suffering" can 'take over' our events and side track them. I don't know
enough about what happened at the StoryField event but I do know it happened at
the Evolutionary Salon and has happened at a few other leadership gatherings I
have attended in the related but different field of spritual activism. We
should not 'suppress' or push out the needs that people have to process their
own emotional stuff that comes up. On the other hand it does not need to be
fully in the container of the whole that was called for a different
purpose. We must develop greater emotional literacy around
individual and group dynamics and not just 'welcome it all in' because that may
not be appropriate. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Maybe there is a need for these things to create containers
to receive peoples emotional stuff early in the gathering?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'> The new story is most
effectively told in ways that</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>are consistent with the new story
·
Blame, judgment,</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>victimization, domination are all
part of the old story and when they</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>show up in telling the new story, it
causes those who are made invisible</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>by the old story to either disappear
further or, where there is room for</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>them to show up, to show up fiercely
·
The new story</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>integrates the duality implicit in
male/female, western/indigenous,</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><i><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-style:italic'>white/non-white into a larger
pattern of “differentiated wholeness”.</span></font></i><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I don't know about all this. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I have heard people talk about the new story and 'blame and judge' the
old story and those who have it. Some how the new story must include the
old story. It must be accessible to those in it and not make them
feel 'bad.' <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>A good friend of mine deeply committed to transforming the world for
good who is a white guy and getting older read an advanced copy of Paul
Hawken's Blessed Unrest. He said it was basically a message of 'suicide' for
white guys - there was not role for them at all in the 'new' story of the
book. The future was all indigenous people and women. This is NOT
inclusive. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Another good friend deeply committed to transforming the world for good
who is a white guy getting older (I have a lot of friends like this). Was
with me at Burning Man at our <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">camp</st1:PlaceType>
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">sustainabilaville</st1:PlaceName></st1:place>'s
opening. He talked to me at length about how he felt so judged by the
environmental movement and communities when he was really doing his best and
they just kept telling him it was all his fault for his wrong choices. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>This 'new story' must be inclusive of the core elements that are 'true'
or 'essential' and can't just erase them. White guys aren't going away
and there needs to be a story that doesn't make them the bad guys.
This is one of the reasons I am sooooo excited about the Green
Man archetype as a positive male beacon to allow transformation of
the culture. If you want to transform these guys telling them they
are not 'emotional enough' and that there is something wrong with them for being
who they are then you are not going to get very far. It might be a better
approach to understand where they are and going from there. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>On Sep 18, 2007, at 11:23 PM, <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Peggy Holman</st1:PersonName>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><span
style='border-spacing: 0px 0px;text-align:auto;-khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: none;
-apple-text-size-adjust: auto;orphans: 2;widows: 2;word-spacing:0px'>Okay, the
title isn't mine...it is from someone who attended the recent Story Field
Conference (<a href="http://www.storyfieldconference.net"><span
class=apple-style-span><font color="#0000ee"><span style='color:#0000EE'><span
style='-khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: underline'>www.storyfieldconference.net</span></span></font></span></a>).
Mind you, it is also a very minority view. For almost all of the 83+
people who attended, it was a mind-blowing, life-altering experience. It
set a new bar for me of what is possible when a diverse group of passionate
people come together for 5 days in Open Space.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I'll say more about
the whole conference soon. In the meantime, there was one particularly
provocative post-conference reflection expressing a great deal of frustration
about what took place. This person really struggled with the open nature
of the process, and asked some great questions. (Unfortunately, his piece
is in a secured area and I am not ready to ask his permission to share
it.) Still, I think you'll get the gist through my response.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>As I said to him,
there is so much to be learned about the dynamic tension between
“structured process where everyone knows what’s going on, and
everyone agrees to the ground rules” and a space open to the mystery of
what is wanting to emerge in the moment....<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>ABOUT MYSTERY<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>One of the main themes
I found in your message was why go through all the discomfort? <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>What’s the point?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;
font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>You said:<span class=apple-converted-space> </span></span></font><span
class=apple-style-span><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>The group seems
divided into two camps - those who prefer messy, emotional, and random
processing, and those who came here for a specific purpose, with the hope of
creating something new and extraordinary, and who are equally frustrated by the
chaos.<O:P style="font-size: 18px; "></O:P></span></font></span><font size=1
color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;
color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;
font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I’d offer that for many of us, it is
going through the messy, emotional,<span class=apple-converted-space> </span><span
class=apple-style-span><i><span style='font-style:italic'>seemingly</span></i></span><span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>random processing that we have the
best chance of creating something new and extraordinary.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I have a deep and
abiding commitment to bringing mystery back into most everything we do. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I believe that without the unknown,
there is no learning, no creativity, no life. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>For me, if there is only certainty, I
suffocate. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I also believe that
when there is no room for the unknown, it makes itself felt through disease,
disorder, violence, depression and other unpleasant and unintended
consequences.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Culturally, we
celebrate perfection – perfect athletic performance, musical performance,
total quality in production. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I’m
glad we do; I have felt the inspiration of experiencing a virtuoso performance.
<span class=apple-converted-space> </span>And I sure don’t want
airplanes, bridges, cars built any other way. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Still, there is a
companion to this perfection that I believe is equally essential that is not
only not celebrated, but struggles to find its legitimacy -- and grows
increasingly important the more dysfunctional and destructive the status quo
becomes. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>It is what happens at
the margins, where something doesn’t yet have a form or a name, where it
is seeking to come into being. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>My
friend, David Gershon, calls it the learning edge. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>If we aren’t playing at the
border between the known and unknown, we are standing in the way of our own
evolution. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>To be very pragmatic,
there is no learning or transformational change without mystery; if you already
know the outcome, then no transformation is involved! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I appreciate learning
from other’s knowledge, and believe that has its place. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>When exploring a topic as nascent as a
“story field”, I would much rather be present with passionate,
committed, talented people exploring their inquiries rather than committed to
their certainties. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I suspect
this is true for many, if not most of us. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Could we have made
better use of those who brought knowledge about the new story to the gathering?
<span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Surely.<span
class=apple-converted-space> </span> SHOULD we have, in some particular
way? <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I don’t know. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I think this choice is a useful
exploration and would be pleased to engage more fully in it. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>In retrospect, I suspect we both
gained and lost by the choices we made. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>For
example, we did not come away with anywhere near the shared sense of how to
answer the calling questions as I would have liked. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>And yet I wonder, had we done so,
would the voices that are often left out found their place in the story? <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I have no idea. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I know that I gained a deeper
understanding of how vital it is for those voices to be part of the story that
emerges. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>And I do know that the
work continues to unfold among many who were present. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I have come to
believe that strategic conversations, such as we had at the Story Field
Conference, are part of a larger trend, a floating conversation, with different
threads of a collective exploration slowly converging, bringing together
different cohorts who are exploring similar questions. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Through these seemingly unconnected
iterations, we are growing a new and vital coherence among us. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>At least, that’s my story. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>And it begins, indirectly, to touch on
this question of what it takes to get things done.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>WHAT IS THE PRICE OF
A LINEAR FOCUS ON GETTING THINGS DONE?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I, too, have a
passion for getting things done. That's why I invested the unbelievable amount
of time it took to put together this story field gathering. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>But for me, the important question is
this: <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>given an intention, what
form of getting things done best serves that intention?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>For example, I
co-edited a 700+ page book with over 100 contributors. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>This required focused, linear skills
of getting from A to B on a tight timeline, juggling a vast amount of details
as I went. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>It was possible
because there was a high degree of agreement about the underlying assumptions
– the “story field” if you will – of what we were
doing.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>However, for
something like envisioning a new story, much less a new story field, I believe
what it takes to bring about wise action is quite different from A to B
thinking. In particular, it takes a special openness to engage as much
diversity as possible to achieve as lasting an effect as possible from
individuals, small groups, and perhaps even a major subset of the whole group.
This is not a linear proposition. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>When
the assumptions themselves are part of the territory in question, I believe
that opening as much space as possible for being receptive to what is wanting
to emerge creates the greatest opportunity for deep understanding and lasting
results. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>That is part of the
reason why, when I look at the how much wise action takes place in our larger
culture and the huge amount of fragmentation that impedes wise action, it is
clear to me that something different is called for. I believe wise, unimpeded
action is an outcome that naturally flows out of strong, healthy relationships.
By opening the space as we did, a great deal of relational work was done. What
I saw in reading the reflections is a remarkable number of people who said,
“I now have the courage to act on my convictions”; “I know
that I am not alone; I have allies”.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Are you aware of the
remarkable number of meetings, conference calls, one-on-one connections that
are all in process as a result of our conference? The action on the wiki,
alone, is a testament to the aliveness of our work together. Remarkably, a
third of the conference participants (27) have posted 143 edits during the
conference and for more than 2 weeks afterwards, and counting.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Those people who have
the good fortune to be quite at home in the dominant culture -- which has an
ethic of focusing on action, getting things done in a linear way --<span
class=apple-style-span><b><span style='font-weight:bold'> may not have thought
about what gets lost when that is always the primary focus. They may not
have wondered what voices don’t get heard because they find no place in
that drive for action. These are major parts of my life -- and the lives
of millions of other people.</span><O:P style="font-weight: bold; "></O:P></b></span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;
font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I think our culture has paid a huge price by
squeezing uncertainty and chaos out of every place we can! <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I believe it has created a wide range
of unintended consequences, most of which are virtually invisible. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>For example, one such consequence is
an unspoken norm that to be in community means conforming to the dominant
story. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>If I say something
different, something that is not comfortable or is unfamiliar, particularly if
it is emotionally unpleasant, it is judged to be inappropriate. To speak out is
to risk being ostracized. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>No
wonder many women, people of color, and young people opt out! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I think the current
fragmentation of our society grew out of feelings that there were no avenues
for voices that don’t fit accepted norms. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>How can I feel connected to a larger
whole when there is no space for my point of view? <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>At the extreme, violence is a
consequence of this fragmentation; if there isn’t a space for voices with
different stories, then it plays out in other forms. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>With all that is
happening across our world today, I believe the story has become far too
complex for any one culture to have all the answers. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Because there was space for grief,
anger, fear, and radical diversity, this gathering made creating space for the
voices and feelings not usually expressed more visible, more urgent, and more
poignant to me than even I have ever experienced. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I felt my own anger as a woman when challenged
by yet another straight, white man who saw all of the overflowing emotion as
nonessential and nonproductive. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
heard, for the first time, the pain of indigenous people who have always been
completely invisible to me. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
heard the anguish of people of mixed race and non-white races expressed as a
visceral experience of being choked off from speaking their truth. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>And I heard the pain of the white man
– and others – confused and repelled by what was happening. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>And the cacophony of those voices --
because they were heard -- welded us into a powerful community that was
viscerally felt by the vast majority of participants, and out of which has come
the ecosystem of activities that we are seeing online, in phone calls, and in
upcoming local gatherings -- as well as stimulating conversations like this
about what future conferences will be like…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>AN INTERLUDE: ABOUT
WEDNESDAY MORNING<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;
font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I think part of the reason there was so much
“stuff” surfacing on Wednesday morning is that we culturally
provide so little space for collective meaning making of what is disturbing. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I sense that we have 1) a great deal
of unhandled angers, hurts, fears that are wanting to be expressed and 2) very
little experience expressing them and dealing with them together creatively. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I was talking to someone who said the
invitation to discern whether what was surfacing was personal or coming from a
deeper source was interesting but with no practice, she wasn’t sure how
to know. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>And, as Van Jones spoke
on the Pachamama video, we also know very little about how to truly and
usefully hear such expressions of anger, fear and grief.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>When I look back on
Wednesday morning, the range of issues expressed was extraordinary -- tensions
between male/female, western culture/indigenous culture, moving to
action/handling our emotional backlog -- and there was room for all of it. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I personally believe that our
collective capacity to stay present to it all was pivotal for the quality of
connections, and commitments to actions that seems to be emerging from the
gathering.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>As Mark Jones made us
aware of, we saw, heard and loved each other. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>And it isn't about a woo-woo comfy
Green meme feeling. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>There is
power here, a latent power of the whole. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>We are only beginning to understand
the practical power of seeing, hearing, and loving each other fully, together. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>To grow into that understanding, we'll
need a lot more such gatherings -- including a lot more continuity as a
community. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>But that's getting
ahead of myself here….<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>BACK TO GETTING
THINGS DONE…<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Right after the
conference, my brother told me that Robert Putnam (Bowling Alone; Better
Together) has just released some new research that says the more diverse a
neighborhood, the more disengaged it is from the political process. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>This is no surprise to me: <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>as long as the pain, anger,
frustration remains suppressed, of course we can’t connect to get
something done! <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>When Grace spoke
her pain, she made visible something that was already present. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>She opened the way for others to
express their hurt, anger, frustration of what usually remains invisible. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>While messy, we made room for voices
that are usually silent, to be heard. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>It
is that sort of healing that is vital for us to become the kinds of diverse
communities -- diverse, loving, and<span class=apple-converted-space> </span><span
class=apple-style-span><i><span style='font-style:italic'>effective</span></i></span><span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>communities -- that I heard so many of
us long for!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>And it took great
courage. I see this as another reason for being willing to open the space for
what is wanting to emerge. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>As we
practice being in the unknown together and learn to trust each other, we discover
that we are not alone. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>In the
last couple years of doing this work, it is one of the strongest lessons
I’ve received: when people know they are held, they have substantially
more courage to act.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>What a profound
combination: connection to people who we might have previously seen as
different from ourselves - which means we have much great access to each other
to use our difference creatively - coupled with that increased courage. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>When we do this well, I think the
capacity for wise action actually skyrockets! <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>This is not to say that we don't have
a lot more to learn about HOW to use our differences creatively and HOW to be
more effective together. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>It<span
class=apple-converted-space> </span><span class=apple-style-span><i><span
style='font-style:italic'>is</span></i></span><span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>to say that our path to higher-order,
more elegant handling of our differences and collaboration is through hearing
and welcoming our differences – including our emotional differences -<span
class=apple-converted-space> </span> into our collective spaces. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>That that process will often be messy
goes without saying. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>But it is
out of that messiness that our increased collective capacity and communion
arise.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I once heard a story
of week-long Native American powwows in which they drum and dance and worship
and socialize for almost the entire time -- and then get all their business
done in the last afternoon. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>The
communion built during most of the week makes their work together a breeze,
once they get to it. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I think
there's something like that at work in the kind of community I'd like to see
grow around the story field project. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>That,
combined with the power of emergence and the flowering of diverse passions, is
my own take on "getting things done." <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>That said, I'm also intrigued with how
we can arrive at collective coherences and whole-group accomplishments without
endangering those other powers. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
leave that to our future work together.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;
font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>ON FACILITATION<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;
font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>We came together in a meaningful way towards
accomplishing something that called to each of us at the Story Field Conference
more than any other conference I've been part of. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>What made this possible? <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I don’t think it was random, nor
a lack of facilitation. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span><span
class=apple-style-span><b><span style='font-weight:bold'>I think it was
shifting the locus of attention from what you would call facilitation to
hosting what is wanting to emerge in a space bounded by a common intention to
understand the role of story as a field phenomenon and to use story for
profound social change. </span></b></span> I believe we are still
learning how to do this well – and that there is much to learn.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;
font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I tend to think of this as a shift of what
is in the foreground and what is in the background. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Rather than a primary focus on the
flow of a process and keeping people “on task” or at least on the
subject, the locus of attention is on the flow of energy - in which there is
confidence that any voice that surfaces has something to contribute that can be
heard and integrated. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I get that from your
point of view there was essentially no facilitation. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>In a way, I’d agree with you as
the term facilitation doesn’t really describe the nature of being a host
to what is emerging. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>There is
work involved in this role; it is just very different than facilitating a
process. Because it is less familiar, it tends to be more invisible. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Gabriel Shirley used a term a few
years back that comes closest to describing it for me: running the energy. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Much of what we are doing is paying
attention to the energy of the group, tending to its flow – what is the
collective mood? what can we sense happening at the edges? what serves the
whole in reaching its potential? <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
don’t pretend to know all the answers; I think we are in the early stages
of learning how to work with group energy. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
know I am.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>For me, a core
intention is to be sure that energy doesn’t get stuck, that the space
stays open for what is wanting to emerge. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>While
I see how you can interpret it as “egos reigning supreme” or that
“a big no-no is making someone feel bad, controlled or cut off”,
there are other ways to understand what is happening. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>During a reflection among the hosts,
Gabriel Shirley named it this way: there were two primary perspectives present:
1) each person speaking was acting out of their own ego, doing personal work;
2) each voice is there on behalf of the whole and is in some way a gift to the
whole. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I’d say that this
isn’t an either/or, both are real. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>These
perspectives offer alternative ways of making sense of what is occurring.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I think many of us
have minimal patience with this because, particularly in the realm of affect,
our culture has taught us very little about where and how to express our
emotional anger, pain, grief. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>The
dominant culture provides very few venues for this, so, of course, if a space
is made safe enough, it will surface. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
applaud the quality of witnessing we were all part of -- including you -- at
the Story Field Conference, the discipline of being present to raw feelings
that eighty people held this space on behalf of what was expressed. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Paradoxically, the
dominant culture sees these once-suppressed feelings dominating the
conversation without noticing that (and how)<span class=apple-converted-space> </span><span
class=apple-style-span><i><span style='font-style:italic'>it</span></i></span><span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>usually dominates conversations. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>The dominant culture is transparent to
itself, just as our individual blind spots are invisible to us, just as the
water is invisible to the fish. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Those
most at home in the dominant culture have much less practice at the discipline
of witnessing because by definition, the dominant culture supports their way of
processing. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Privileged people
don't<span class=apple-converted-space> </span><span
class=apple-style-span><i><span style='font-style:italic'>have to</span></i></span><span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>listen. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Less privileged people get much more
practice sitting and listening to another’s bullshit. In fact, the dominant
culture even institutionalizes this practice in the form of sanctioned talking
head presentations. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>As Emily pointed out,
in our western culture, focusing on getting things done is our norm -- often, I
would add, to the detriment of expressing any other aspect of ourselves
individually or collectively. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
can imagine on Wednesday morning that those expecting a space for getting
things done were extremely frustrated when the space shifted to a different
purpose! <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>But I find myself
wondering: <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Is this frustration
more or less legitimate than the frustration of those whose voices are
suppressed? <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Perhaps we should
focus, instead, on whether our choice of plenary activity served our collective
intention.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>WHAT BEST SERVES OUR
INTENTION?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>There are no doubt
gentler pathways than to invite people to jump into Open Space with little
context of what to expect and with no training wheels. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Yet, I know of no other means that
makes it so clear so quickly that the ultimate authority for one’s
experience rests with oneself. And, I wonder, given the scale and scope of
living a new story into being, what best serves? <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I don’t pretend to have the
answer; I suspect there are many parallel paths. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I do believe that the capacity to be
present to that which makes us uncomfortable is a vital skill for this work. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I believe that the space at<span
class=apple-converted-space> </span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on"><ST1:PLACE u1:st="on"><ST1:PLACENAME u1:st="on">Shambhala</st1:PlaceName><span
class=apple-converted-space></ST1:PLACENAME> </span><st1:PlaceType w:st="on"><ST1:PLACETYPE u1:st="on">Mountain</st1:PlaceType><span
class=apple-converted-space></ST1:PLACETYPE> </span><st1:PlaceType w:st="on"><ST1:PLACETYPE u1:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place><span
class=apple-converted-space></ST1:PLACETYPE></ST1:PLACE> </span>held some
trigger for everyone! <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>To the
extent that such triggers feed our learning, growing and connecting, I
celebrate them. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>To the extent
they cause people to check out, go silent, and disappear, they cause me
concern. There are surely things to learn about how to navigate all that more
successfully -- but trying to keep people from frustration and triggers is
certainly not the key.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Something you expressed
that I found particularly ironic: that there was a norm in Open Space that
everyone be comfortable. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>In
fact, I think we were quite willing to have people be uncomfortable. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span><span class=apple-style-span><b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>It was just that those who are most used to being
comfortable were the most frustrated and uncomfortable as we made room for
voices that are seldom seen, heard or welcomed to show up. </span></b></span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>And the gift I
personally found in that was huge! <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
learned a great deal about both the new story and the nature of story telling
from what took place during the week:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div style='margin-left:.75in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-24.0pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=1 color=black face=Symbol><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Symbol;
color:black'>·</span></font></span><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=1 color=black><span style='font-size:4.5pt;color:black'>
</span></font></span><span class=apple-style-span><font size=1 color=black
face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>The
new story is most effectively told in ways that are consistent with the new
story</span></font></span><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='margin-left:.75in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-24.0pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=1 color=black face=Symbol><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Symbol;
color:black'>·</span></font></span><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=1 color=black><span style='font-size:4.5pt;color:black'>
</span></font></span><span class=apple-style-span><font size=1 color=black
face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Blame,
judgment, victimization, domination are all part of the old story and when they
show up in telling the new story, it causes those who are made invisible by the
old story to either disappear further or, where there is room for them to show
up, to show up fiercely</span></font></span><font size=1 color=black
face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='margin-left:.75in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-24.0pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=1 color=black face=Symbol><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Symbol;
color:black'>·</span></font></span><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=1 color=black><span style='font-size:4.5pt;color:black'>
</span></font></span><span class=apple-style-span><font size=1 color=black
face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>The
new story integrates the duality implicit in male/female, western/indigenous,
white/non-white into a larger pattern of “differentiated
wholeness”. By differentiated wholeness, I mean that our
differences become a creative part of the whole – so that to belong in a
community is to show up in all one’s unique gifts and quirks</span></font></span><font
size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:
Helvetica;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='margin-left:.75in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-24.0pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=1 color=black face=Symbol><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Symbol;
color:black'>·</span></font></span><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=1 color=black><span style='font-size:4.5pt;color:black'>
</span></font></span><span class=apple-style-span><font size=1 color=black
face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Wholeness
has holes in it, which has huge implications for how stories are told:</span></font></span><font
size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:
Helvetica;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='margin-left:1.0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-12.0pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=1 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:
"Courier New";color:black'>o</span></font></span><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=1 color=black><span style='font-size:4.5pt;color:black'>
</span></font></span><span class=apple-style-span><font size=1 color=black
face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>If
the story teller speaks as if they have all the answers, it leaves no room for
voices and perspectives that have something to add</span></font></span><font
size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:
Helvetica;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='margin-left:1.0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-12.0pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=1 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:
"Courier New";color:black'>o</span></font></span><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=1 color=black><span style='font-size:4.5pt;color:black'>
</span></font></span><span class=apple-style-span><font size=1 color=black
face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Taking
a stance of humility and conscious evolution, recognizing that the story is
never complete allows space for new aspects to show up and be integrated</span></font></span><font
size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:
Helvetica;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='margin-left:1.0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:-12.0pt'><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=1 color=black face="Courier New"><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:
"Courier New";color:black'>o</span></font></span><span class=apple-style-span><font
size=1 color=black><span style='font-size:4.5pt;color:black'>
</span></font></span><span class=apple-style-span><font size=1 color=black
face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Being
curious when missing voices show up is of service to the whole, inviting a more
whole version of our stories to emerge</span></font></span><font size=1
color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;
color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>BACK TO MYSTERY<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I don’t pretend
to have all of the answers to how best to bring mystery back into its rightful
place. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>It is clear the form we
used is not comfortable for some. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Perhaps
it will never be -- and perhaps it is important that it never be, at least to
some degree. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I do believe that
within the collective us, the capacity to be receptive, compassionately
unattached, is essential for the new story to blossom.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><b><font size=1 color=black
face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black;
font-weight:bold'>Open Space makes a huge amount of space for the
receptive. It also makes an extraordinary amount of space for
action. Where a group goes emerges out of its own needs.</span></font></b></span><font
size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:
Helvetica;color:black'> <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>To say
that again, a little differently: <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>it
is the energy of the group that most shapes the nature of the space. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span><span class=apple-style-span><b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>By not “facilitating” the group in a
specific direction, we trust that what best serves the collective intention of
understanding the story field and the new story is served. </span></b></span>When
the intention is complex, as in defining a novel idea like “story
field”, I have a bias towards a process that boldly invites the emergent
present, trusting the wisdom of the group to take it where it most needs to go.
<span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Could we have provided more
context? <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Of course. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Would that have been our best service?
<span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I don’t know. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>It would have created a different
gathering. Would the voices and feelings that are normally invisible found
space to show up in productive ways? <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
don’t know. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Would we have
had a clearer, more articulated sense of the story field and the new story? <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>If we did, I fear it might have been
more intellectual and less embodied. Trusting the group energy in open space, I
trust that the conversations stimulated by your, David's and others' critiques
will produce innovations that will allow us to explore these questions more
deeply and consciously in practice, together as a community.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I do understand that,
in particular, the grief, anger, and fear expressed was way overboard for
people who have little or no experience with it; or for those who feel that
such expression belongs in its own special container specifically for that
purpose. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Would I and others have
had the lived experience of the new story that we did without all that
surfacing? <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I honestly
don’t know. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>There are ways
in which both answers are true, and I know that we'll be learning more about
this.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I believe that in the
new story, we have a right to be whole people – head, heart, body, and
spirit. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>And I believe we owe it
to each other to learn to be present to the whole of us in collective settings.
<span class=apple-converted-space> </span>In fact, I think because we did
that, it contributed immensely to why so many people said this experience was
life changing for them. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>While we
haven’t yet landed in the intellectual coherence of the new story that
many of us desired (myself included), I believe we LIVED a nascent form of the
new story. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>There was space for
all of us and not in the form of “let’s make everyone comfortable”
or in the form of “you need to behave in expected ways”. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Quite the opposite! <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>We made space for people to be real
together, where our differences were welcome disturbances from which learning
and growth could and did happen.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Can we get better at
creating such experiences? <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
sure hope so! <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I am sure there
are better ways of inviting in male/female, indigenous/western, straight/gay,
white/color than we know right now. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>We’re
just getting started.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I know now that if we
can’t hear new voices, we stay stuck – as most of our current
systems are. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>No wonder people
are checking out of them! <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I got
a much deeper understanding of what it is like to always need to keep what is
most dear invisible or suffer the wrath of indifference, judgment, dismissal. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>I also felt a new compassion for what
it is like to be seen as the oppressor, the one holding the current form in
place, even when we see ourselves as in the vanguard of change.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Still, you may well
ask, why bring in so much mystery at once? <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Why
not just small doses? <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>It may
well be that for many, that’s what makes the most sense. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>For me, I believe we’re entering
into a time of increasing dissolution; more and more of our assumptions and our
systems will be falling apart faster and faster. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>The more of us who become more capable
of being present to the anger, grief, fear, and confusion that will surface,
the better. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>What better way to
practice than in learning more about subjects we care about with people we
discover are kindred spirits?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I am excited and
fascinated at how engaged so many people who gathered still are! <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Many people made deep connections with
others. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>The intellectual and
practical work are underway big time. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I
wonder if it is because we didn’t fully complete our work together? <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Our wholeness has evocative holes in
it! <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>We’re still
collectively processing the questions around which we gathered. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Perhaps this too -- rather than being
a disappointment -- is a lesson in keeping the mystery alive and following its
enticing energy to wherever it leads us.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>That said, as you
pointed out, chaos can be quite challenging, so how do we welcome it in a way
that is of service to a group?<span class=apple-converted-space> </span><span
class=apple-style-span><b><span style='font-weight:bold'> That is an art that
we are still learning. It is part of the dialogue that your message taps
for me. </span></b></span>We do know some things about it:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=1
color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica'>We
know that creating a sense of sacred space can make a tremendous
difference (our time at the Stupa that first morning in the presence of
Spirit and our ancestors contributed to bringing to consciousness what
would make the space fertile and productive)<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=1
color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica'>We
know that expressing dreams, desires, possibilities makes a difference
(e.g., our wishes spoken as if we are making them happen, and speaking to
what would blow our minds)<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=1
color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica'>We
know inviting adult behavior that asks us to draw from the best of
ourselves matters (as Mark did by offering HSL – hear, see, and love
-- and as we did in naming the Law of Two Feet – taking
responsibility for what we each love -- and asking people to check within
themselves for what was coming through them for guidance rather than
looking to an outside authority)<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><font size=1
color=black face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica'>And
we believe that working with the energy present in the moment matters.<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Beyond that, I expect
this conversation and others like it to continue, helping us discern how best
to welcome chaos, to make room for the emergent while tending to whatever form
of getting things done best serves.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>ON RANDOMNESS AND
ORDER<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Have you ever seen a
strange attractor coming into being? <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>(Strange
attractors are beautiful mathematical images. (see<span
class=apple-converted-space> </span><a
href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ccrma-www.stanford.edu/~stilti/images/chaotic_attractors/chaos26.jpg&imgrefurl=http://ccrma-www.stanford.edu/~stilti/images/chaotic_attractors/poly.html&h=640&w=640&sz=45&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=ieBIZJB9pAv28M:&tbnh=137&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dstrange%2Battractors%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DGGGL,GGGL:2006-42,GGGL:en%26sa%3DN"><span
class=apple-style-span><font color="#0000ee"><span style='color:#0000EE'><span
style='-khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: underline'>http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ccrma-www.stanford.edu/~stilti/images/chaotic_attractors/chaos26.jpg&imgrefurl=http://ccrma-www.stanford.edu/~stilti/images/chaotic_attractors/poly.html&h=640&w=640&sz=45&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=ieBIZJB9pAv28M:&tbnh=137&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dstrange%2Battractors%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3DGGGL,GGGL:2006-42,GGGL:en%26sa%3DN</span></span></font></span></a>).
<span class=apple-converted-space> </span>They take a mathematical
formula, push some numbers through, plot the output on a map, feed the output
back through the formula, and plot again. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>In
other words, they iterate through the same formula over and over. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>Initially the dots seem completely
random. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>Over time, a pattern
becomes visible. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>I see conversations
in a similar light. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>I find most
of us live, either consciously or unconsciously, in a complex question or two. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>For example: What is the nature of
story? <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>What is the new story
that wants to be born? How do we bring this story more fully to life?<span
class=apple-converted-space> </span> As we answer these questions, we feed
the responses back through and new answers emerge. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>They begin to paint a picture. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>When we join with others in a shared
inquiry, the picture takes on more shape. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>What
starts as seemingly random, begins to come into coherent form. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>It begins to entice us in, as we
collectively call it into being and witness its new resonance surfacing. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>This isn’t a simple story that
one person can create alone. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>And
its shaping demands more than just our intellects. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>It draws from the whole of us, head,
heart, body, spirit. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>It is a
complex response, made of music, art, dance, idea. <span
class=apple-converted-space> </span>It is a coherent, many-storied
response to questions that we all hold dear. <span class=apple-converted-space> </span>And
it is still unfolding.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>So I end with an idea
that surfaced through Tom Atlee and me:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>We are calling into
being our collective soul so that our many-storied world can find its
way…and each and everyone one of us has our roles to play in it.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Love,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Peggy<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
<div><O:P>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</O:P></div>
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<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>________________________________<br>
<st1:PersonName w:st="on">Peggy Holman</st1:PersonName><br>
The Open Circle Company<br>
<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">15347 SE 49th Place</st1:address></st1:Street><br>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Bellevue</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">WA</st1:State>
<st1:PostalCode w:st="on">98006</st1:PostalCode></st1:place><br>
(425) 746-6274<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><a
href="http://www.opencirclecompany.com"><span class=apple-style-span><font
color="#0000ee"><span style='color:#0000EE'><span style='-khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: underline'>www.opencirclecompany.com</span></span></font></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><br>
For the new edition of The Change Handbook, go to:<span
class=apple-converted-space> </span><br>
<a href="http://www.bkconnection.com/ChangeHandbook"><span
class=apple-style-span><font color="#0000ee"><span style='color:#0000EE'><span
style='-khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: underline'>www.bkconnection.com/ChangeHandbook</span></span></font></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>"An angel told
me that the only way to step into the fire and not get burnt, is to become<span
class=apple-converted-space> </span><br>
the fire".<br>
-- Drew Dellinger<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=apple-style-span><font size=1 color=black
face=Helvetica><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>*
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Kaliya - Identity
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style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><a
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style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><a
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style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><a
href="skype:identitywoman">skype:identitywoman</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>Y!:earthwaters<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><a
href="AIM:kaliya@mac.com">AIM:kaliya@mac.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>510 472-9069 (bay
area)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Helvetica><span
style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'>415 425 1136 (on the
road)<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:black'><br>
<br>
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