The question for me is in the present continuous - what am I learning? Participatory planning meetings have been part of my modus operandi since the mid 80s when I was trained in Search Conferencing a la Fred and Merrelyn Emery (Australia). Approx 10 years later I was told about Open Space Technology. I read some and loved it; and, finally after too many years, I had the great fortune of attending Harrison's opening space on the Practice of Peace at the invitation of Michael Herman in Chicago only last year. Having experienced the Practice of Peace, living in open space is now a continuous learning process of discovering I can open space daily / hourly when I need it for me, and for and with others. It helps me in times of urgency, frustrated with desire to make a difference. In such times Harrison's words "we muddle through" come up for me. They are so leveling and humbling. They allow me to catch my breath and settle....the principles of self-organizing simply are. My husband, Juergen, also attended in Chicago, so we have that wonderful experience in common. We feel blessed. Professionally, I am far more patience and gracious; when I can open space with clients I love it because I know they will benefit. I would like it to happen more, but when it happens, it happens and it's powerful. I feel empowered as the participants take back their own power and it's powerful in every sense - we connect to something deeper and more powerful than we ever could as individuals and it moves us all.
Thank you, HO, and all you wonderful people: your stories mostly send tingles up my spine. I read the OSList.serv and so often find myself bowing my head in gratitude. I am learning. Robyn _____ Robyn Stratton-Berkessel LIT Global ...connecting the dots +1 732 291 0462 http://www.litglobal.com -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Brian S Bainbridge Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2005 11:21 PM To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Subject: What I have learned Dear Harrison Talking recently with Larry Peterson, it became clear that I had omitted one of the important learnings from these recent years. And I am labeling it "The Role of Ritual". I recall that, at Days Inn in perhaps the Third International OSonOS, you just opened the space by saying something like "Well here we all are, and we all know what to do - so let's get on with it". I, and Larry (and I have heard you say) reckon that the ritual at the start of an OS gathering is very important. It would be no surprise to you to hear me say how important I see ritual as being, given that you and I are priests. We may not understand its origin or its full meaning, but its impact is always something that matters in some fashion to those present. The same applies, IMHO, in an OS Event. Walking the circle, engaging the eyes, focusing the spirit, opening the space, inviting the participation and the passions to emerge, etc. - all vital. No less vital is the opportunity, I believe, of evoking spirit with some kind of talking stick exercise at the close of the event, which challenges/invites participants to touch into their own soul and share whatever they are able to with others present. That, too, is ritual of a special and growing kind. Enough from me. Cheers and blessings, BRIAN * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist