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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Last week an old friend died. The family asked me to take
the funeral and as an old preacher (yes it is true </span></font><font
face=Wingdings><span style='font-family:Wingdings'>J</span></font><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>), I of course agreed. But this was
not your usual situation. The family was large and the circle of friends,
colleagues and associates much larger. What stood out was the incredible
diversity of traditions and interests. The family itself ran the gamut from
practicing Protestants through non-practicing whatevers, on to deeply religious
orthodox (Jewish) folks. Everybody had their needs, and everybody had their
opinions as to how things should be done. Negotiating all of that would have
been difficult under the best of circumstances, and given the fact that this
was a funeral, extended time for negotiation was not available. What to do?</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Open Space – of course, and just know that the
incredible complexity of peoples, needs, and expectations would find
appropriate expression. Sitting in a circle was not an option, for the funeral
was to take place in a rather standard “chapel” setting –
rows of seats facing the front. But you don’t have to sit in a circle in
order to be in a circle. Indeed a circle of the mind will do. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I began by saying who I was (most people didn’t know
me from Adam) and that we were here to celebrate the life of our friend as the
circle of friends. Our celebration would involve sharing our memories. I
pointed out that while we sometimes think of memories as being all about what we
have lost, the truth was rather different. Indeed memories are the only thing
we ever really have. As the present instant passes, it merges into the larger
moment of our memories, and our memories create the rich tapestry of human
experience. It will be our privilege to unroll that tapestry. And so we began.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>There was a list of sorts indicating who might speak, but I
didn’t have a clue who they were or what they would say. I was aware that
we had one hour, I knew that time would be honored, and I sat down. Family
member followed colleagues and friends. Each spoke in their own way for their
own time. We went from laughter to tears, and back to laughter, pausing for
deep silent moments. At the precise end of the hour, the last person sat down.
I said a short blessing and we left.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>It took a while for the family and friends to make their way
out the door, and I snuck out a back door to enjoy my pipe on the street. As I
stood there, somebody I had never seen before came up and asked me what was
going on inside. I said we were having a funeral. But, he said, they are all
laughing. I didn’t expect him to understand my reply, but I responded –
Yes I know. It’s the memories.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I would certainly not recommend that all funerals be such as
we did, but I am sure that is just the way I would like to go. Be that as it
may, my purpose for sharing this story here is not so much about funerals but
open space, and the ways in which space may be opened in each and every moment
of our lives. I find that when we do that the course of events passes naturally
from laughter to tears and back to laughter, stopping along the way for deep
silent moments. It is all about creating the space for rich living. I think
that is what we do.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Harrison</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>
<div>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Harrison Owen</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>7808 River Falls Drive</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Potomac</span></font><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, </span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Maryland</span></font><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>
</span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>20854</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Phone </span></font><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>301-365-2093</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=2 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Skype hhowen</span></font></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Open Space Training</span></font> <a
href="http://www.openspaceworld.com/"><font face=Arial><span style='font-family:
Arial'>www.openspaceworld.com</span></font></a> </p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Open Space Institute</span></font> <a
href="http://www.openspaceworld.org/"><font face=Arial><span style='font-family:
Arial'>www.openspaceworld.org</span></font></a></p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Personal website</span></font> <a
href="http://www.ho-image.com/"><font face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>www.ho-image.com</span></font></a>
</p>
<p align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>OSLIST</span></font><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change
your options, view the archives Visit: </span></font><a
href="http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html"><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'>www.listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html</span></font></a></p>
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