<p dir="ltr">Dear Barry (and Alan),</p>
<p dir="ltr">First Barry, what you wrote expresses so much of what evolved inside of me because of this simple process of Open Space. It is so not wonky! I was one of those who had unlearned or had been unaware and unconscious of that which has been around for 13.8 billion years. The training wheels of Open Space sparked something so precious connected to passion, responsibility and a deeper love for everything and everyone. It happened slowly and I'm sure what got ignited has so much more room to grow over the course of my time on this planet.<br>
The saddest part is that I could not know what I didn't know (my head was packed full with ruminating stuff that took up so much space) and even now I still forget when my old reactions (fears, hurts, control) pop up again as they always will but less.<br>
What you call personal power to acknowledge their true passions, I see as acknowledging the essence of who we truly are, that which makes us unique yet not separate. So many nuances about which I would have had absolutely no clue 6-8 short years ago though I can't help think it would have found me if Open Space had not found me first.<br>
And then there is invitation and that's where love comes in. To invite from a place that holds space to meet people where they are. No judgment, no pressure, no forcing or pushing... Just noticing, seeing ourselves in the other, letting go what feels so upsetting and wrong and noticing instead what those unique passions might be in the other and inviting from that place. Perhaps it will be connected to the most important issue, that which is urgent and complex that requires diversity. Or perhaps as is the case with Alan (and I feel it too myself increasingly) from the heart, in more simple ways of just inviting strangers, friends and family to break bread together to enjoy each other's company. Opening little and big spaces at the market and in so many other places to have delightful Conversare conversations.<br>
Whether we invite one by one or many at a time, invitation as it is extended is already opening a space, a space where someone can accept or decline and where connection and caring for each other is happening ...by holding space lightly as we invite.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Whether at 44 degrees Celsius or 24 degrees Fahrenheit, so many ways to feel things and see things.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Thank you Nashville, Australia and y'all who spoke up on this thread. Gratitude erupted because of you.<br>
Suzanne</p>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Dec 19, 2015 9:24 AM, "Barry Owen via OSList" <<a href="mailto:oslist@lists.openspacetech.org">oslist@lists.openspacetech.org</a>> wrote:<br type="attribution"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><p dir="ltr">For me, the more I think about it which I have now for 30 years, I think it is all the same and it is all open space as long as... It begins with true passion / heart and the taking responsibility for that passion through invitation to others who share it. Perhaps this is egregious over simplification, but it's what works in my mind today. I used to get upset when I saw people do something that didn't match with my understanding of open space and called it open space. That no longer bothers me because now I know that as God continues to say and has always said its all open space. For me the technical parts of it are just framing structure which I call training wheels to help people who have been unlearned from the natural course of human interaction and self-organized solution oriented communication. In a sense, a tool, as it were, to help the participants remember their own personal power such that they can acknowledge their true passions and take responsibility through the action of invitation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As I am currently walking my dogs on a 24 degree Fahrenheit morning speaking voice to text into a smartphone, this email may make zero sense to anyone. But it is what's in my head right now :-)</p>
<p dir="ltr">This message has been sent from my mobile device and therefore may be somewhat wonky.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Barry Owen<br>
Real Estate Strategist<br>
Principal Broker & Founder<br>
Pareto Realty, LLC<br>
4012 Hillsboro Pike #5<br>
Nashville, TN 37215<br>
<a href="tel:615-568-2123" value="+16155682123" target="_blank">615-568-2123</a></p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://BarryOwensBlog.com" target="_blank">http://BarryOwensBlog.com</a><br>
<a href="http://ParetoRealty.com" target="_blank">http://ParetoRealty.com</a><br>
<a href="http://WhyJoinParetoRealty.com" target="_blank">http://WhyJoinParetoRealty.com</a><br>
twitter @barryowen @paretorealty<br>
Instagram - barryo06 - ParetoRealty<br>
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Linkedin</p>
<p dir="ltr">Pareto Realty is #NashvilleProud #HomeGrownRealEstate</p>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Dec 19, 2015 8:13 AM, "Harrison Owen via OSList" <<a href="mailto:oslist@lists.openspacetech.org" target="_blank">oslist@lists.openspacetech.org</a>> wrote:<br type="attribution"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Alan.... I hate to tell you, but you are only 13.7 (I think it is now .8?) billion years late. It’s been Open Space since the beginning began. We’ve just been a little slow to recognize it. OST provides absolutely nothing new. Just an essentially brain dead way to ease ourselves into what we naturally do anyhow. Some people even pay us to do all that! But you are absolutely correct: “Opening Space Matters.” Living in a closed space make claustrophobia seem like paradise, or so I’ve found.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Harrison <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Winter Address<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">7808 River Falls Drive<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Potomac, MD 20854<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><a href="tel:301-365-2093" value="+13013652093" target="_blank">301-365-2093</a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Summer Address<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">189 Beaucaire Ave.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Camden, ME 04843<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><a href="tel:207-763-3261" value="+12077633261" target="_blank">207-763-3261</a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">Websites<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><a href="http://%20www.openspaceworld.com" target="_blank"> www.openspaceworld.com</a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><a href="http://www.ho-image.com" target="_blank">www.ho-image.com</a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d">OSLIST </span><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" target="_blank">http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org</a></span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1f497d"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><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 [mailto:<a href="mailto:oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org" target="_blank">oslist-bounces@lists.openspacetech.org</a>] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Alan Stewart via OSList<br><b>Sent:</b> Saturday, December 19, 2015 2:08 AM<br><b>To:</b> World wide Open Space Technology email list; The Art of Hosting<br><b>Subject:</b> [OSList] Opening space matters<u></u><u></u></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">G’day All</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Here’s something for you to ponder over during the Festive Season. <smile> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Can we open space without the format of Open Space Technology? </span></b><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Here’s where my question arises: </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">When living in Hong Kong for six happy years until 2011 I invented a novel form of socialising which I called <b>Conversare</b> from the Latin <i>con versare – to turn or to dance together. </i>See<i> </i></span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:14.0pt"><a href="http://conversare.net/?page_id=1957" target="_blank">The purpose of <b>Conversare </b></a>and </span><a href="http://conversare.net/?page_id=2002" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:14.0pt;color:windowtext">here</span></a><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:14.0pt"> for what it is and what it is not.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:14.0pt">This is now being conducted in what may well be regarded as a 'right place’ - the </span><a href="http://us6.forward-to-friend.com/forward/show?u=d2a5886c33ebf0bb6486eeb16&id=8b30b0cef0" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:14.0pt">Adelaide Central Market</span></a><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:14.0pt"> and </span><a href="http://www.southaustralia.com/en/things-to-do/ideas-and-suggestions/markets" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:14.0pt">here</span></a><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:14.0pt">.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:14.0pt">With regard to my question I recently took the opportunity to consult with a group of Spaceniks (Raffi’s term!) on their perspectives, expressing it in this way:</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Is Conversare a variety of Open Space?</span></b><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Which, in turn, arose in relation to two issues which I had recently noticed on the OSList:</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">. Open Space wherever, however, whenever, with whomever as often as you can.<br><i>Lively thread of exchanges initiated by Harrison</i></span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">. “all OS events I have seen are highly structured.” <br><i>Michael M Pannwitz (mmp)</i></span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">The language becomes tricky here as to whether ‘opening space’ and OS events are to do with the principles and practice of <b>Open Space Technology</b> operating through of the format of sitting in a circle and co-creating a market place of nominated topics related to the resolution of complex issues.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Or whether opening space can be done independently of this format. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Of the thoughtful responses received there are two which answer the question most ‘wonder fully’ and usefully for me and maybe for you too. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">From Anne Stadler:</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“Here's my current POV [point of view]: </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Opening a Marketplace is ONE form for OST. In my view all sorts of forms exist. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">On all occasions, the "space" i open FIRST is the heart space within, via emptying my mind & getting meditatively in touch with the intention I'm called to take responsibility for. Then the form of the open space will become evident as the opportunity clarifies.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">A hallmark of opening space with others for me is I must explicitly invite them to "take responsibility for what you love" (Law of Two Feet) or "follow what has heart and meaning."</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">So conversare as you describe it, Alan, would be OS for me, if you'd invite that. In using this approach to conversare, I would encourage people to follow their hearts or intuition & find another person to talk with; asking that person what he/she cares about, & discovering the resonance/connection that exists between you.” </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">From michael herman:</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“i would say, absolutely, yes, alan. this IS open and opening space -- fully within the wherever, whomever spirit. on structure, there is the container that is offered, and then all of the decisions that are made within it. you make the offer and leave the details to the paired participants to work out for themselves. i think there is a big question or theme, even if it's not explicitly stated. there is a big thing to work out together, and it's going to take everyone. maybe the articulation of this would be something along the lines of the bit you shared at vosonos, about "loving the one in front of you." there is nothing in the definition of open space that says we have to limit ourselves to questions on which we can make "measurable" progress in 90 mins or 2.5 days. quite the opposite, i think! thanks for all of this.” </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">I have also received supportive comments from locals here about their experience of being in <b>Conversare</b> events and their ideas on potential applications. Among these:</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“Congratulations Alan</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">For getting conversare up and running in such an exceptional place. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">And support this idea – not before its time.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">An idea for our time.”<br><i>Tim Walsh</i></span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">“What uniquely exciting and practical ideas. And what a way it could be for our wonderful new refugees to learn real English, and perhaps for all of us to at least feel other languages.”<br><i>Andrew Booth</i></span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Here are two closing thoughts to stimulate your 'pondering' ... </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">1. Could introducing the <b>Conversare</b> process be a way to open space for all attendees to be full participants when we meet and greet in the evening prior to the commencement of WOSonOS?</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Such an approach has not been used in the five of these which I have attended, beginning in Monterey in 1998. Sitting in a circle in this context did not enable everyone to be an active participant, in my experience. Seeds have been sown and are likely sprouting in Manila … </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">2. Could hosting <b>Conversare</b> kind of gatherings be a new career option for lively spirits who are so inclined? If this idea catches your attention do have a good look around my blog as this has a wealth of background on its principles, practices and inspirations. See also <a href="http://conversare.net/?page_id=1920" target="_blank">Some underpinnings of Conversare events</a> and <a href="http://conversare.net/?page_id=2022" target="_blank">Reclaiming Conversation: the power of talk in a digital age</a></span> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">With love and good wishes to you all for a joyous, peaceful and merry Festive Season. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">And warmest salaams from Adelaide where today's temperature is 44C - 111F!</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Looking forward.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Go well</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Alan </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Alan Stewart, PhD<br>Social Artist<br>Senior Fulbright Scholar<br>Facilitator of conversations that matter and participatory fun<br>Based in Adelaide and operating throughout Austral-Asia<br>Em: </span></b><a href="mailto:alan@multimindsolutions.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">alan@multimindsolutions.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> and </span></b><a href="mailto:alanmstewart@gmail.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">alanmstewart@gmail.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><br>Web: </span></b><a href="http://www.multimindsolutions.com" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">www.multimindsolutions.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><br>Blog: </span></b><a href="http://conversare.net" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Conversare <br></span></b><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">Mob: +61</span></b><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">413848680<br></span></b></a><b>Member </b><a href="http://www.ntmu.com.au" target="_blank"><b>National Trouble Makers Union</b></a><b> </b><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">New book: </span></b><a href="http://www.multimindsolutions.com/?page_id=243" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Time to converse - at the heart of human warmth</span></b></a><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="200" height="41" src="http://www.multimindsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/logo1.png"><u></u><u></u></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.multimindsolutions.com/?page_id=243" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><br></span></b></a><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">"If there's dancing count me in"</span></b><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p></div></div></div><br>_______________________________________________<br>
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