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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Dan,<br>
<br>
There's a kind of 'vibe' around Open Space which might make it
difficult for people working with the format to necessarily see
some of it's nature, and I think this community is missing some
gifts from your perspective because the elusive nature of the
spirit of Open Space doesn't much care for boundaries,
constraints, and prescriptions. My hope is we won't lose those
gifts because of the wrapping.<br>
<br>
I'd like to respect the poetry of Open Space, and I'm not in any
way opposing the perspective being put forward by Harrison, Lisa
and others. The word constrain according to dictionary.com
includes in its definition words like "force", "compel", and
"oblige". This is not in alignment with the word invitation, nor
with the spirit of what we're trying to accomplish with Open
Space.<br>
<br>
But I'm drawn to your perspective of looking at Open Space as a
game with simple 'rules' and I look forward to grasping this
better. It seems part of a redefinition or clarification of power,
authority, and respect that is happening in both commerce,
government, and families. This is something I passionately care
about, but it remains an open question and probably will remain
one until I die. But I sense from conversations we had in
Nashville at Agile 2013 that you have something for me and for
this Open Space community in this area. I hope this email will
help that happen.<br>
<br>
Although Thomas Jefferson wrote "we hold these truths to be
self-evident", that certainly did not imply that British rule at
the time included awareness or acceptance of the "self-evident"
truths espoused in that document. Self-evident does *not* mean
obvious. The truths Thomas Jefferson wrote about could only be
held within the imperfect container of his words after millennia
of study and reflection.<br>
<br>
And notice the word "hold" in "hold these truths". Thomas
Jefferson and the other founders did attempt to hold and establish
these truths into society with rules, laws, constraints and
containers. One of the biggest things they were trying to
constrain was the power and potential evil inherent in governance
itself.<br>
<br>
Yes, whether we like it or not, the universe is self-organizing.
This might be a self-evident truth, but it certainly isn't obvious
- especially to those who think they're running this planet with
systems that seem on a bee line to multiple environmental and
humanitarian disasters.<br>
<br>
I'll leave with a question. How could seeing Open Space as a game
help us better invite people to play with us in redefining our
current organization structures to let in more Life and Spirit?<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
Harold<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
On 9/30/13 11:31 AM, Daniel Mezick wrote:<br>
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<blockquote cite="mid:5249B55D.8080806@newtechusa.net" type="cite">
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I request help and guidance. Will you help me understand the rule
of the Open Space meeting format?<br>
<br>
If the 1 law & the 4/5 principles are natural and
self-evident, I am confused about the need to mention them
whatsoever. <br>
<br>
If the 1 law and the 4/5 principles are not natural and not
self-evident, I am confused about how mentioning them is optional.<br>
<br>
The 1 "law" (quotes) and "4/5 principles" (quotes again) are
either self-evident, or they are not. I wonder which is the
reality.<br>
<br>
See also: <br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_law">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_law</a><br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_rights">http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_rights</a><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 9/30/13 8:05 AM, Harrison Owen
wrote:<br>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Dan
– I have to agree with Lisa. As said multiple times
before, the 5 principles and the Law are descriptive and
not prescriptive. Or at least that is the way they popped
into my head: simple observations of what was transpiring,
as opposed to directions concerning what should be taking
place. I have always said “Principles” and “Law” with a
smile, because if you really think about it, they are
neither (principle or law). More like, “funny things that
happen on the way to the future.” There is an essential
humor, sense of fun in Open Space – and if we ever lose
it, we begin to take things much too seriously </span><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:#1F497D">L</span><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">
I call it High Play.<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"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">189
Beaucaire Ave. (summer)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D">Camden,
Maine 04843<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">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">(summer)
207-763-3261<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"><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="www.openspaceworld.com%20"><span
style="color:blue">www.openspaceworld.com</span></a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="www.ho-image.com%20"><span
style="color:blue">www.ho-image.com</span></a>
(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
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
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<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"">
<a moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org">oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org</a>
[<a moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext"
href="mailto:oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org">mailto:oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org</a>]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Lisa Heft<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, September 30, 2013 3:22 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> World wide Open Space Technology email list<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [OSList] (was) Open Space in schools -
now: OST boundaries? constraints?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
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<p
class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif";color:black">Dan - I have taken the
liberty of
adjusting the
title of this
topic to more
closely fit
the changed
content.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p
class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p
class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif";color:black">And: I look forward to
hearing how
others
respond…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p
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style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
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<p
class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif";color:black">1/ I see the Law and
Principles and
*invitations*
not as
constraints.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p
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style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p
class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif";color:black">2/ And not 'required' as in
- some of us
do not use the
5th Principle
at all.
However, the
saying,
inviting and
simple
explanation of
these
invitations
help to create
the structure
(as there is a
structure,
just not the
structure that
a lot of
people have
experienced in
meetings) / to
create the
container.
What I mean by
that is that I
have observed
that to not
offer the
invitation of
the principles
and law (even
in a group of
people who
completely
know and do
Open Space) is
not inviting
presence and
possibility in
the same way.
So different
dynamics then
occur.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p
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<p
class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif";color:black">And in saying that offering
these
invitations
and explaining
this process
help to create
the container,
I mean a
living,
breathing,
nutrient-rich
container,
perhaps
similar to
some
containers
like cellular
walls, a
bird's nest, a
lake, a poem,
or a wisp of
vapor… which
have some form
within which
there is
flow. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p
class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p
class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif";color:black">3/ I notice that some
super-good OST
facilitators
can use more
words to
explain
things, and
some use less.
And the
experience can
be amazing. In
my
observation,
it is not the
amount of
words, it is
the complete
true
understanding
of inviting
Opening Circle
and agenda
co-creation
(which include
a brief
explanation of
principles and
law and
process), and
getting /
staying out of
the way so the
participants
can do their
own work, see
their own
patterns, feel
their own
co-leadership,
and so on. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p
class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif";color:black">What do others think?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p
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style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet
MS","sans-serif";color:black"><br>
Lisa<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">On Sep 29, 2013, at 10:53 PM, Daniel
Mezick <<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:dan@newtechusa.net">dan@newtechusa.net</a>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lisa says:<br>
"...<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">The other thing is that for any
kind of facilitation, I would not name boundaries or
constraints. It sets peoples' minds in the framework
of boundaries and constraints - rather than
opportunities and possibilities.<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal">Like 'think outside the box' - you
are still thinking…of the box! when / because someone
says that. "<br>
<br>
Dan says:<br>
I notice that:<br>
1/ the 1 Law and 5 Principles of OST are
constraints-in-fact. Are they not?<br>
2/ we are required to describe these as OST
Facilitators; at least, according to the OST Guide.
Right?<br>
3/ the general idea for the Facilitator is, "the less
said the better". No?<br>
<br>
I think OST is a most wonderful game. <a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://newtechusa.net/agile/how-games-deliver-happiness-learning/">http://newtechusa.net/agile/how-games-deliver-happiness-learning/</a><br>
<br>
Dan<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="p1">Daniel Mezick, President</p>
<p class="p1">New Technology Solutions Inc.</p>
<p class="p1">(203) 915 7248 (cell)</p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1"><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://newtechusa.net/dan-mezick/">Bio</a></span><span
class="s2">. <a moz-do-not-send="true"
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<a moz-do-not-send="true"
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class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s2">Examine my new book:<span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a
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class="s1">The Culture Game </span></a></span><span
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<p class="p1">Explore Agile Team <a moz-do-not-send="true"
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<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
Harold Shinsato<br>
<a href="mailto:harold@shinsato.com">harold@shinsato.com</a><br>
<a href="http://shinsato.com">http://shinsato.com</a><br>
twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/hajush">@hajush</a></div>
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