Jack wrote: We can only invite it, again and again.
Well Jack - your font size is improving. But more..! Anyhow, I totally agree. Keep the space open for action - again and again. But never force it, for that is to close the space. There have been two instances in my experience where "The Plan" called for "Action Planning." The words were in the Invitation, and repeated in The Program. The sponsors expected it. I expected it. I think the participants expected it - after all in every meeting they had ever attended, when it said "Plan for Action" - all good soldiers rose to the occasion and did as expected. That was the way things were (are?). But in the situations I am referring to Action Planning was the last thing that anybody cared to do when it came to the point. The first situation was in Rome where I had the privilege of opening some space for the "50 Israelis and Palestinians." These folks went deep and deeper still. So deep in fact that when we got to the 3rd day (Planning for Action) they really couldn't believe they had gone where they had gotten to (sorry for the sorry English). They had never quite been there before, and certainly I hadn't either. It was quite new, strange, and fearful. And truth to tell, I believe nobody was really sure that they wanted to be "there." Under the circumstances, planning for action not only seemed premature but something for another planet. They had to find grounding in their present circumstances before moving onwards - or indeed anywhere. I sensed that more than thought it, and my invitation at the opening circle on that final day was to take a deep breath and a long walk - and then decide how, or if, they wanted to continue. I made that invitation very specific by suggesting that we take an hour and go our separate ways. And at the end, those who chose to come back to the circle would go on, and those who did not return would leave with all our love and respect. As it turned out they all came back - but they had the choice, which I thought to be most important. So Yes - open the space for action, but any action (even something we don't expect) is welcome. And for those who may not know this story, check http://ho-image.com/opening_space_for_peace.htm Harrison NEW EMAIL ADDRESS!!!! hho...@verizon.net Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, Maryland 20845 Phone 301-365-2093 Skype hhowen Open Space Training <http://www.openspaceworld.com/> www.openspaceworld.com Open Space Institute <http://www.openspaceworld.org> www.openspaceworld.org Personal website <http://www.ho-image.com> www.ho-image.com OSLIST: To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Jack Ricchiuto Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2005 2:58 PM To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Subject: Re: deep democracy Harrison wrote: It always seems to me that our role is not to "drive" for action - but rather to keep the space open for action (or not). The people will decide, if not in that moment, then in their own good time. I agree it is so important to respect that a community will act as soon as it's ready. If people are used to being dependent on (strong or weak) leadership, it does take time for them to discover and trust their own power. Usually their power is in the currency of intangibles like grassroots efforts, ideas, and social networks. No one can do this discovery and trusting for them; it's work they must do for themselves. We can only invite it, again and again. Jack __.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__.__ jack ricchiuto two.one.six/three.seven.three/seven.four.seven.five www.designinglife.com / www.appreciativeleadership.com * * ========================================================== 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
