Raffi -- I hate to tell you this -- but the fact that you represent only yourself is not a unique phenomenon. We all do, which makes this world the wonderfully rich quilt of diversity which it is. Having said that, it is also true that some people carry out the business of representation at decibel levels that occasionally push the edges :-)
And you got me. Same old, same old! Guilty as charged!! That piece you quoted from "When the Devil Dances" is something I truly enjoyed writing if only because it captured something of the profound experience I was privileged to have in the Land of the Kpelle. It might also explain why the thought of sitting in a circle, creating a bulletin board, and going to work seemed like a very natural thing to do -- with or without Martinis. It just happens. Harrison Harrison Owen 189 Beaucaire Ave Camden, ME 04843 207-763-3261 (Summer) 301-365-2093 (Winter) Website www.openspaceworld.com Personal Website www.ho-image.com OSLIST To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu] On Behalf Of Raffi Aftandelian Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 7:37 PM To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Subject: A word from HO Harrison and all, One delightful Usual Suspect at the WOSonOS- in a fit of loving reproach, perhaps, for me being a bit of a loudmouth at times, said, "The only person that Raffi represents is his himself." Harrison, I must admit I had a hard time listening to what you were saying that evening because it sounded like more of the same. : ) It was good to see you, however! I'd point people to your "Understanding OS" 5 CD series available through the OS online bookstore. A gem! Another gem is your first book, the photo essay from your time as associate director of the Peace Corps in Liberia from '67 to '69, When the devil dances. Pub'd some 40 (!) years ago, I read it as part of the (his?)story of the inspiration for OS. Especially this passage- which may not have been the intended as such- but seems to describe very aptly the energy of an Open Space Technology meeting and speaks to the deeper essence of OS: A very special part of any village celebration is the appearance of the various "devils." The word devil is very misleading, and was undoubtedly the unwanted gift of an early missionary The devils are not evil, but rather represent a respected (albeit feared) part of the village. Nothing of importance happens unless they appear and dance. In their appearance, all aspects of the village are brought together-dance, music, government, and religion. When the "Devil" dances, life goes on. *** In the village, all things go in a circle, and everything fits. To speak of the drums is to speak of the dance, is to speak of the Devils... Weaving and Forging Fire and Steel- the Bush Life, Death and Life again. __________________ I love this passage because it brings harks to a definition of love you've offered: "challenge and acceptance." (the "devils" being a respected and feared part of village life- "What is it that seeks to be expressed?") And also when reading this piece it recalls that etymologically "conversation" means "to dance together."-- Thanks to Alan Stewart for pointing that out. warmly, raffi * * ========================================================== 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