Mike, Your comment about trust resonates for me very strongly and I guess as OS hosts we are all about opening a trustful space and keeping it that way for the duration. The four principles and all the other bits and pieces, our experience shows, are very helpful (and probably necessary) tools to assist in this aim. Beyond that I follow my inner voice in the moment. And when I don't have the time immediately before the start of the OS to tune in to my inner voice, the quality of the beginning process suffers.
My inner voice always tells me two things and these are; stay in my truth and live in the moment. So a week or two ago when I had a group of very senior people, sitting uncomfortably in a circle, I suggested right up front that perhaps we could just reflect in silence for a minute or two to bring ourselves totally into the room. Why did I do something that at one level would seem inappropriate? Because my strongest sense was that it was the right thing to do. And yes it worked. I have a friend in the US who taught me that 'the fun starts on the other side of yes . . .' For me as someone who started with OS only in the middle of this year, the more OS's I conduct the easier it gets because I simply go with the flow indicated by the innate wisdom of the group. Going with the flow gets easier. Perhaps its like preparing a Chinese meal. Its all in the preparation (introduction). All I have to do is keep the trustful space open. Aart Groothuis dialogue architect thinking together by telling the story PO Box 3266 Manuka ACT 2603 AUSTRALIA m: 0419 42 68 80 i: <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] 'The only way to deal with the future is to function efficiently in the Now.' gita bellin -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Copeland Sent: Wednesday, 29 October 2003 08:06 To: [email protected] Subject: Fear and control G'day Chris With the time differences I seem to get your profound e-mails first thing in the morning; they are an inspiring start to the day. Thanks for this most interesting data? I'll be sure to remember to say Xitchangani phapharati (Butterfly) when facilitating open space with the Bantu of Mozambique! Then again I could always hook my thumbs together and wave my hands. But this could be mistaken for a bird? And what will I do to demonstrate a bee? The dilemmas one faces with this open space stuff! Here's a thought re all this juicy stuff we banter back and forth across cyber space. While I realise the need for quality and the tweaking of the process for our own improvement at times I feel a certain formulaic mentality creeping in. A certain sense that Open Space could become this mechanistic formula that when done exactly the one, right, true, way will then yield these results.... . Open space to me is about accepting life on life's terms: Whoever comes are the right people, What ever happens is the only thing that could have etc. I wasn't at Swemark so I was not privy to those conversations. Did anyone post that perhaps OS is ultimately about love and trust instead of fear and control? No matter what I come across these days it seems when I hit closed space, power, control and ultimately fear are lurking somewhere in the background. A penny for y,alls thoughts Mike Copeland -----Original Message----- From: Chris Corrigan [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Wednesday, 29 October 2003 8:14 a.m. To: [email protected] Subject: "Butterfly" in 95 languages I'm sure some of you will find this interesting, if not useful. Here is a link for an essay including translations for the word "butterfly" in 95 languages: http://snurl.com/2r8g Enjoy! Chris --- CHRIS CORRIGAN Bowen Island, BC, Canada http://www.chriscorrigan.com [email protected] (604) 947-9236 * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html _____ Attention: This e-mail (and attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. _____ * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected], Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
