Harrison, Thank you for this post... you are truly activating a deep learning here.
You wrote>
Truthfully, I didn't really know where I was headed when the 3rd day started, and when last I had talked to my colleagues Avner, Tova, Carol and the sponsors the evening before I had indicated my intention to go straight ahead "according to the plan." However, when I saw the faces of the people that morning as they came into the circle, I knew we had to go a different way, and at that point I had no time for consultation with "The Team." Thus I began as I previously reported.
I got a visual from this that you actually opened an additional space within open space... circles within circles. I respect, admire and learn from your guts. When in question, open more space :-)
My specific learnings were several. First -- a radical confirmation of what we all know. Attachment to pre-determined, fixed outcomes, even something as broad as prioitization, convergence, and action planning, is a one way ticket to disaster.
Yes! Our rigid perceptions and unexamined assumptions lead to 'stuck' expectations and justifications.... I appreciate your brilliance in truly seeing and accepting beyond your attachments - moving with that.
I think what happens is that the whole group is so constricted physically, mentally, and emotionally (probably spiritually as well) that when they first hit Open Space they find it possible to take a deep breath, perhaps the first one in a long time.
Is it equally possible, in your experience, that they were afraid to go into that darkness without testing the waters first? That is deep and rapid vulnerability, I imagine. Also, I see this as a testimony to the human desire for peace - we want it so badly. The difficult lesson is that, in order to be/do so, we must go deep into the darkness and pain as well. Doesn't Kahlil Gibran say something like - 'the very same well from which you draw your joy, you draw your sorrow'?
And then do what you have to do.
I cannot tell you how grateful I am for this. Your brilliance is in giving yourself, and indirectly all of us, permission to do this and the assurance that whatever happens is the only thing... and it's OK. Best wishes, glory * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu, Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html