<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"><base href="x-msg://226/"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Consolas;
panose-1:2 11 6 9 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
panose-1:2 11 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.apple-style-span
{mso-style-name:apple-style-span;}
span.apple-converted-space
{mso-style-name:apple-converted-space;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap: break-word;-webkit-nbsp-mode: space;-webkit-line-break: after-white-space'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Brendan – A man after my own heart! Seems like you think in circles, which many might find less than productive. </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#1F497D'>J</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> But for myself, it is the only way to go. Round and round, and although you may meet yourself coming back there is also a high probability that you will go deeper. At least that is my excuse.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>And I also tend to agree with you that the 5<sup>th</sup> Principle doesn’t add much. But then the same could be said for the original 4, along with the Law of Two Feet. The point is that all of them (1-5) are descriptive and not <u>pre</u>-scriptive. That is to say that they simply acknowledge what would be the case in any event, even if they were never spoken. The justification for calling them “principles” and announcing them as the space is opening (in my mind) is simply to alert people to the “facts of life.” And why do that? Because in the busyness of living we seem to forget the obvious realities. And our forgetfulness can get us in trouble. For example, the 1<sup>st</sup> Principle, “Whoever comes is the right people” is a total truism. The people who show up are the only ones there – and worrying about all the folks who might have come, should have come – is a waste of time, and more importantly, can easily distract us from the gifts and opportunities that walked in the door. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I think the 5<sup>th</sup> principle is more of the same order. No matter what might have happened, could have happened, should have happened – you are in the place you are. And that place/space has its own unique gifts and opportunities no matter what constraints or apparent disadvantages might exist. To be sure it is worthwhile searching for an “adequate” venue, and some seem better than others. But at the end of the day, you are where you are. Duh! – And more to the point, Space will open for those who care to be there. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Early on in my experience in Open Space I did notice certain anomalies when it came to the place of meeting. Venues that appeared totally abysmal (the feared “bowling alley”, for example) became a vibrant container for magnificent conversations, and in fact the spatial restriction seemed, if anything, to magnify the intensity and depth. At the other extreme, seemingly ideal venues just really didn’t work for the group. I remember in particular a conference center in Belgium (IBM, I think) that looked as if it had been specially constructed for Open Space. The central room was completely round, and the break out spaces (also round) radiated from the edge of the large room. Perfect you would think! And yet, to judge from the behavior of the group that “ideal” environment was no such thing. By lunch on the first day no group was to be found meeting in the official breakout spaces. Everybody had searched for and found alternative spaces and places. Small irregular nooks and crannies, little patios, an un-used service bar. So much for the ideal venue!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Although I had noticed the curious happenings in terms of venue space, it never occurred to me to see all this as yet another principle. I guess it sort of fell beneath my perceived level of significance. But all of that changed in Sardinia thanks to Claudia. As she described the ethos and happenings of Tahrir Square it became clearer to me that space can and does open anywhere. And yes we can devote time and effort to finding the “proper” venue, but when the Spirit is up, any place will do. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Claudia helped me see something else. For understandable reasons we (certainly I) had concentrated our attention on Open Space as an event – which effectively blinded us to it larger prevalence. Tahrir Square (and multiple similar occurrences) was open space by any reasonable standard. But nobody had convened or planned it – though doubtless some folks will claim credit. Our “events” are therefore 2<sup>nd</sup> order derivatives from an original, and completely natural phenomenon. And one more time we are reminded that any effort on our part to claim Open Space as our creation, a meeting method amongst many others – is simply a dog that won’t hunt. I think it also shifts or enlarges our task and opportunity. The road ahead is not so much about refining and expanding a methodology (if it ever was) but rather to open our eyes to the natural occurrences of space opening for human beings to grow in. In part this is an appreciative activity – simply noticing the grandeur and elegance of our evolution which seemingly occurs all by itself without our plan or direction. But there is also another side. How can we help? What can we do or be that will enhance the richness and power of the spaces opening in our midst? Doubtless this is the work of several more lifetimes and I believe that our prior experience with OST as an event can be very helpful. But it just a beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>We know that a single individual (facilitator), by saying little and doing less, can enable the process whereby groups of people numbering in the 1000’s can experience themselves and their future in positive and useful ways. And yes, I suspect that there will always be a place for the good old fashioned Open Space – if only as a training program for the larger game. But that larger game is “out there” and not in a venue of our choosing. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Just imagine – you are a single individual standing at the edge of Tahrir Square. You don’t speak the language, and have little if any understanding of the issues. How can you help? It may sound like Mission Impossible – but it is a mission that thousands of our friends and colleagues have undertaken all over the world during the past 25 years – albeit in microcosm. I think it may be time to join the Big Game. It will be exciting and just remember, “Wherever it is, is the right place.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Harrison <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Harrison Owen<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>7808 River Falls Dr.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Potomac, MD 20854<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>USA<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Phone 301-365-2093<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>www.openspaceworld.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>www.ho-image.com (Personal Website)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas;color:#1F497D'>To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST Go to:<a href="http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org"><span style='color:blue'>http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org [mailto:oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Brendan McKeague<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, May 24, 2011 2:58 AM<br><b>To:</b> World wide Open Space Technology email list<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [OSList] The 5th Principle / Sardinia<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Awesome story Harrison<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Once again, the 'practice of peace' illustrated in real time. I continue to name Open Space as the most nonviolent meeting process I am aware of.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>As for the fifth principle - everywhere (anywhere?) is the right place - I do like it. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>And at the same time, wonder if it adds anything additional to what we already have....?<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Maybe it is an acknowledgement of there being no physical/geographical boundaries, universally, to where space is/can be opened....<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>And at the same time, when I'm 'creating' an OST meeting with a sponsor, I'm proposing that we use a venue/location that best fits our purpose - so, some spaces might be more appropriate than others...eg no pillars in the centre of the circle, space for Agenda Wall etc...<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Ah - I see - there are 'ideal' conditions around which we construct artificial or manufactured 'open spaces', within which people can have an embodied experience of what the real deal is...that the whole universe is self-organising!<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Ok - I've gone round the circle - and arrived back where I started from - back to basics :)<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Cheers<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Brendan<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>On 24/05/2011, at 5:31 AM, Harrison Owen wrote<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The recent gathering in Sardinia was a treasure. But then again, every such gathering is unique and rich. A special gift for me was a series of extended conversations with Claudia, whose last name has disappeared in my senile brain. She had been in Egypt with the Facebook crowd in the square – and how she came to Sardinia is a story in itself. Seems like the young Egyptians were opening space right and left as they negotiated their way through their version of The Arab Spring. Somewhere along the line they went online in search of more information – connected with my youngest son (of the same name) who passed them along to me. We exchanged several emails, and I suggested that were it possible to come to Sardinia they would have the opportunity to connect with many marvelous new colleagues whose collective wisdom vastly exceed my own. Only Claudia could come but she carried the tale. Marvelous!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>So we talked. And as she described the happenings of those interesting days it gradually dawned on me that the Open Space of major significance was not so much the several gatherings convened under that title – but rather the ebb and flow of Tahrir Square. That indeed was a convening of those who cared. In palpable ways they brought their passion and responsibility into that present moment. And while it is true that they never sat in a circle or created a bulletin board, they surely opened a market place of ideas, hopes, and dreams – which in turn created new circles of caring. Claudia said it was a dance, a massive, multiple circle dance as those who cared shared their passion(s) with responsibility. The circles formed and broke, only to form again in new, richer and more complex patterns. Who can say what the precise results are or will be. (The Proceedings have yet to be printed<span class=apple-converted-space> </span></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings'>J</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>) – but the typical behaviors of every good Open Space were manifest in abundance. “High Learning” – in which previously impossible ideas and aspirations came alive. “High Play” – in which strangers and sometime enemies ate and laughed together. Serious moments for sure but leavened with a lightness that comes when the flood gates of renewal are wide open. “Appropriate Structure and Control” – God knows how many people were there, and for sure nobody was in charge. But that did not mean that violent and bloody chaos was the order of the day – although doubtless nobody would have been surprised had they appeared. But there was structure as the dance circled on. And the control was emergent from the people, born of their passion and responsibility. “Genuine Community?” – Total strangers coming home, wrapped in the care and concern of their fellows. And “Authentic Leadership?” You bet! – Not the sort of Leadership that supposedly resides in the appointed leaders – by way of the divine right of kings. Indeed, the King had been sent out of town! But Leadership was there in abundance, blossoming (what else in the Arab Spring?) where and as needed. It appeared at the nexus points of passion and responsibility and passed from person to person as the dance rolled on.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>And that is the story, at least as I heard it told.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Sounded like Open Space to me! And nobody had a plan, intention, or design. For sure – there wasn’t a facilitator in sight! – So MAYBE – we need to understand that Open Space is a naturally occurring phenomenon? To be sure we can give it a boost or assist – But the opening of space seems to happen all by itself!!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>So here is a challenge. If Open Space is a naturally occurring phenomenon (and what else would It be?) then we have the opportunity to assist. And how would we do that? I suspicion that our 25 year collective experience will give us some clues. We know that a single facilitator can be very effective in initiating the process – not by doing a lot, but by really BEING THERE. And that can happen very quickly – let’s say instantaneously. To be sure we can make many plans and arrangements: conferences with clients, selections of the “optimal” site, providing the “right” paper and magic markers, etc, etc. It is also true that even when none of that can happen – everything just works. That is a little hard on the old Facilitator’s Ego, but it could just be that an awful lot of what we take to be essential is nice, but not necessary. After all Tahrir Square just “happened.” Talk about “Extreme Open Space” or the Next Step!!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>All of which lead me to see what I am sure has been there all the time: The Fifth Principle. We know the others.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Whoever Comes is the right People.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>NOW – the new one. “Wherever it is, is the right place.”<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Whenever it starts is the right time.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>When it is over, it is over.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>I think we could have a lot of fun with this – and for sure it will take us to some places we have never been. I’m ready.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>And if Claudia will reveal her last name, I would be deeply appreciative. Not to say thankful, for she gave me a great gift.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Harrison<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Harrison Owen<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>7808 River Falls Dr.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Potomac, MD 20854<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>USA<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Phone 301-365-2093<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.openspaceworld.com">www.openspaceworld.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><a href="http://www.ho-image.com">www.ho-image.com</a><span class=apple-converted-space> </span>(Personal Website)<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:Consolas'>To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST Go to:<a href="http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org">http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org</a></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"'>_______________________________________________<br>OSList mailing list<br>To post send emails to<span class=apple-converted-space> </span><a href="mailto:OSList@lists.openspacetech.org">OSList@lists.openspacetech.org</a><br>To unsubscribe send an email to<span class=apple-converted-space> </span><a href="mailto:OSList-leave@lists.openspacetech.org">OSList-leave@lists.openspacetech.org</a><br>To subscribe or manage your subscription click below:<br><a href="http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org">http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></body></html>