[OSList] stories from WOSonOS14.
if you fancy a story or two on the city, the event and the access queen quest follow the link…. http://karolinaiwa.com/fourth-recording-september-16-21-wosonos14-world-open-space-on-open-space-belgrade-serbia with warm greetings from berlin, karolina. karolina iwa creativity self-organisation blog I twitter I linkedin D: +49 15774 932193 PL: +48 880 747578 ___ OSList mailing list To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
Re: [OSList] Fifth Principle: Alive and Well in Serbia
Poland in 2015! I am inspired and delighted. We have much to learn from this vibrant country in spirit and in smarts. See article below in New York Times today. I will do my best to be there and try my best to entice others from across the sea to join me. Seems the planning is well underway with open spaces popping up in many places in Poland already. Love from Florida, the WOSonOS host place in 2013. Suzanne http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/10/05/world/europe/poland-economy-european-union-russia-trade-sanctions.html?_r=0referrer= On Wed, Sep 24, 2014 at 10:00 AM, Harrison Owen hho...@verizon.net wrote: I don’t know why it took us so long to discover the 5th Principle (Wherever it happens is the right place) – And for sure the gathering in Belgrade would have put that Principle “Front and Center.” Definitely the RIGHT place! Deep questions (the best part for me) – genuine pleasure, connection, and marvelous conversation... not a few tears and lots of laughter. Couldn’t have been better – and my profound thanks to Jasmina and all the wonderful people who created such a rich and rewarding space. Interesting times for sure: Just a little west of the Ukraine, a little north of The Middle East, and not all that far from Ebola plagued West Africa. It seemed to put everything is sharp perspective, gave it an “edge,” so to speak. Awesome, fearsome, and challenging. It really doesn’t get much better, I don’t think. Harrison Winter Address 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, MD 20854 301-365-2093 Summer Address 189 Beaucaire Ave. Camden, ME 04843 207-763-3261 Websites www.openspaceworld.com http://%20www.openspaceworld.com www.ho-image.com OSLIST To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST Go to: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org ___ OSList mailing list To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org -- Suzanne Daigle Open Space Facilitator NuFocus Strategic Group FL 941-359-8877941-359-8877 Cell: 203-722-2009203-722-2009 www.nufocusgroup.com s.dai...@nufocusgroup.com twitter @Daiglesuz Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype ___ OSList mailing list To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
Re: [OSList] Opening space with people with psychiatric disorders
Thank you all for your answers. It all makes sense, I realized I was dealing with my own fears because of the rush of the event and the location that was a challenge for me last week (a circus with terraces- right now the team found wonderful solutions and I am sure everything will be fine ). Please forgive me for the strange words I used, I hope I did not hurt anyone. My English is what it is , learned as an adult, and I am not aware of mistakes or clumsiness when I write. I meant no offense. In French I am able to choose my words carefully, not in English. However I decided once that I would take the risk of offending people rather than not daring to write on this list. All your answers are too precious to me. It's also a very good way for me to learn proper English. Thank you very much Tree for your words. I am moved. I guess it must be difficult to read my fears projected on people with mental health disabilities. I guess you have to deal with this kind of behaviors quite often. So thank you again for taking the time to write it once more. For sure I will remember it. Especially as I share exactly what you write, my gratitude to Harrison who with Open Space helped me realize that my freedom was all in my own hands, within myself. And that my responsibility was to confront that, and not get trapped by my fears. But instead use my feet. I realize I am shyly beginning to use them (pretty difficult to learn, progress not constant, falling back into traps still too often). This time the traps for me was doctors words. people who are supposed to know. But like me, who are trapped into their own fears. Maybe it will be my lifetime issue. I am reading Marianne Williamson words again Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you *not* to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. This helps. I took my decision : everyone will be welcome, whoever he or she is. To teach us/me - or to touch us/me- with his/her light. Christine On Mon, Oct 6, 2014 at 10:41 AM, Anne Bennett via OSList oslist@lists.openspacetech.org wrote: ...curious about the differing labels (and constructed meanings therein) - disability is an odd one for me when discussing psychiatric/mental health issues - checking with my UK cohorts - doesn't this sound a little fixed? We don't have cancer disabilities (etc). Some personality, learning and cognitive disorders are pretty much intrinsic to an individual (autism, for example). Some diseases excite the pharma world and the neuroscientists in seeking a lucrative cure. Most mental health is a weather system really?? Psychoses are helped with drugs and lots of the smarter kinds of help including self-help. Neuroses are often the natural if challenging and often extreme responses to life. The fsahions in terms of language around this area change constantly - so how do others read 'disability' in this 'diversely and variably abled' world? yours curiously Anne -- *From:* R Chaffe via OSList oslist@lists.openspacetech.org *To:* Therese Fitzpatrick therese.fitzpatr...@gmail.com; World wide Open Space Technology email list oslist@lists.openspacetech.org *Sent:* Monday, 6 October 2014, 1:17 *Subject:* Re: [OSList] Opening space with people with psychiatric disorders who ever comes is the right people. Having spent the past 7 years working directly with persons with a diagnosed disability and 20 years working in the wider community (often with people under significant stress) the same challenge remains and that is to unconditionally accept people on their terms and as they are. The second challenge is give them the security of an Open Space where they can be heard, that is I need to listen. Rev Ray Richmond ( of the Wayside Chapel Kings Cross Sydney) gave me one rule and - harm to others is totally unacceptable and that is where a facilitator must intervene to secure the space. Maslow highlighted the conditions under which people can reach their full potential and safety and security are two conditions that are essential. Facilitating Open Space I can only make one promise and that is to the best of my ability I will create and maintain a secure space where the participants can do what ever they do. I can only promise the environment not the
Re: [OSList] Authority Distribution in Open Space
Daniel, It's been a while. I've offered only silence to authority as I've watched the list and reflected on this topic. Could it be that many of the most resonating posts on the OS List receive a response of silence? The theme of the antonym of Lonely rings in my ears around this question. The silence can be carried as indinewmaganik, beloved and accompanied by Spirit, like a question/session boldly convened, where no ones comes, alone but not lonely, at an Open Space - or in Life. This sense of lonely-antonym came again to me this morning as I listened to Karolina's voice in her blog post that included reflections before the WOSonOS on her walk, alone, through Belgrade seeing buildings deeply damaged from the recent wars. And her thoughts about how much she wanted things to happen, for people to step forward in action. But later, with the help of another attendee, she could shift to the abundance of what actually was present and happening in the WOSonOS. I want a lot of things to happen too. And maybe my wanting things to be different blocks my ability to enjoy what actually is happening. What does any of this have to do with Authority Distribution? Perhaps nothing ... or maybe everything? I quite enjoyed the link to the blog you added in your reply to me. The post had the title Darwin meets Dilbert: Applying the Law of Two Feet to your next meeting. My goodness. How can Authority *not* have relevance in OST when we start out with a *LAW*. Laws are all about authority, no? But curiously, you allude that this Law removes the legitimacy of the victim role. If you're responsible for your experience in Open Space, if you're the victim, you're also the perpetrator. What I really most enjoyed in Jonathan Opp's blog post was his quote from Dr. Seuss. You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. Hey Harrison - this sounds a lot like what you told us when we visited you in Camden. And it definitely is the Law of Two feet in rhyme. So - ok Daniel. Another query for you? If *Open Space* is actually operating all the time, and Open Space invalidates the Victim role, does that mean we can't actually be Victims. If so, why are there so many? Could it be the roles of Victim/Perpetrator/Rescuer - could it be they are all illusions? Wizards cast spells, and we actually buy them? Does that mean Victims take on Victimhood willingly? That doesn't feel right, at least not completely. But maybe Open Space is something we wake up to. And if so, does that mean Authority is only alive in the dream? Or are we the ones inviting others into roles of Authority or lack there of? So, what actually is going on here?!? Are the inmates running the asylum? Or maybe they(we) should be? Blissfully Confused, Harold On 9/28/14 6:37 AM, Daniel Mezick via OSList wrote: Hi Harold, You say: /..I struggle to translate is the concept of coercion and authority from the vantage of it's all open space. Can we really be coerced? How are we all already opting in to empower the authorities?/ // /...Could we just be volunteering for the victim part of our stories?/ // /...I have some thoughts about this, but I wonder what you would say to such a challenge to the relevance of authority in OST?/ Hmmm...interesting questions for sure. My current belief is that authorization dynamics are central to the general dynamics of Open Space. And if it is Open Space all the time then authorization dynamics as desribed in my essay are also there... all the time. Regarding the Open Space meeting format: If we begin at the beginning; that is, at the start of arranging an actual Open Space event in an organization, we immediately work to identify and locate someone duly authorized by the organization, to do the things the Sponsor does, and say the things the Sponsor says. Someone to occupy the Sponsor role. To do that, the person occupying the role must have substantial authority in the organization, usually of the formal variety. Right? Put another way: if the Sponsor is lacking in authorization, can they actually be effective? Larger question: Can the meeting still actually work? What about the post-meeting follow-through? So here we see how /authorization shows up a the very start of any contemplated Open Space event inside an organization/. One last thing: last time I checked, victims are kind of rare in Open Space. Something about the subtext of the Law of 2 Feet ...The Law of Two Feet concept was published in an article by Harrison Owen http://www.openspaceworld.com/brief_history.htm, a member of an organization advocating Open Spaces Technology, a model for organizing meetings that's based around open participation. Here's how Owen describes the rule: ...Briefly stated, this law says that every individual has two feet, and must be prepared to use them. Responsibility for a successful
[OSList] stories from WOSonOS14.
if you fancy a story or two on the city, the event and the access queen quest follow the link…. http://karolinaiwa.com/fourth-recording-september-16-21-wosonos14-world-open-space-on-open-space-belgrade-serbia with warm greetings from berlin, karolina. karolina iwa creativity self-organisation blog I twitter I linkedin D: +49 15774 932193 PL: +48 880 747578 ___ OSList mailing list To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
Re: [OSList] Fifth Principle: Alive and Well in Serbia
Poland in 2015! I am inspired and delighted. We have much to learn from this vibrant country in spirit and in smarts. See article below in New York Times today. I will do my best to be there and try my best to entice others from across the sea to join me. Seems the planning is well underway with open spaces popping up in many places in Poland already. Love from Florida, the WOSonOS host place in 2013. Suzanne http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/10/05/world/europe/poland-economy-european-union-russia-trade-sanctions.html?_r=0referrer= On Wed, Sep 24, 2014 at 10:00 AM, Harrison Owen hho...@verizon.net wrote: I don’t know why it took us so long to discover the 5th Principle (Wherever it happens is the right place) – And for sure the gathering in Belgrade would have put that Principle “Front and Center.” Definitely the RIGHT place! Deep questions (the best part for me) – genuine pleasure, connection, and marvelous conversation... not a few tears and lots of laughter. Couldn’t have been better – and my profound thanks to Jasmina and all the wonderful people who created such a rich and rewarding space. Interesting times for sure: Just a little west of the Ukraine, a little north of The Middle East, and not all that far from Ebola plagued West Africa. It seemed to put everything is sharp perspective, gave it an “edge,” so to speak. Awesome, fearsome, and challenging. It really doesn’t get much better, I don’t think. Harrison Winter Address 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, MD 20854 301-365-2093 Summer Address 189 Beaucaire Ave. Camden, ME 04843 207-763-3261 Websites www.openspaceworld.com http://%20www.openspaceworld.com www.ho-image.com OSLIST To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST Go to: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org ___ OSList mailing list To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org -- Suzanne Daigle Open Space Facilitator NuFocus Strategic Group FL 941-359-8877941-359-8877 Cell: 203-722-2009203-722-2009 www.nufocusgroup.com s.dai...@nufocusgroup.com twitter @Daiglesuz Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype ___ OSList mailing list To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
Re: [OSList] Opening space with people with psychiatric disorders
Thank you all for your answers. It all makes sense, I realized I was dealing with my own fears because of the rush of the event and the location that was a challenge for me last week (a circus with terraces- right now the team found wonderful solutions and I am sure everything will be fine ). Please forgive me for the strange words I used, I hope I did not hurt anyone. My English is what it is , learned as an adult, and I am not aware of mistakes or clumsiness when I write. I meant no offense. In French I am able to choose my words carefully, not in English. However I decided once that I would take the risk of offending people rather than not daring to write on this list. All your answers are too precious to me. It's also a very good way for me to learn proper English. Thank you very much Tree for your words. I am moved. I guess it must be difficult to read my fears projected on people with mental health disabilities. I guess you have to deal with this kind of behaviors quite often. So thank you again for taking the time to write it once more. For sure I will remember it. Especially as I share exactly what you write, my gratitude to Harrison who with Open Space helped me realize that my freedom was all in my own hands, within myself. And that my responsibility was to confront that, and not get trapped by my fears. But instead use my feet. I realize I am shyly beginning to use them (pretty difficult to learn, progress not constant, falling back into traps still too often). This time the traps for me was doctors words. people who are supposed to know. But like me, who are trapped into their own fears. Maybe it will be my lifetime issue. I am reading Marianne Williamson words again Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you *not* to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. This helps. I took my decision : everyone will be welcome, whoever he or she is. To teach us/me - or to touch us/me- with his/her light. Christine On Mon, Oct 6, 2014 at 10:41 AM, Anne Bennett via OSList oslist@lists.openspacetech.org wrote: ...curious about the differing labels (and constructed meanings therein) - disability is an odd one for me when discussing psychiatric/mental health issues - checking with my UK cohorts - doesn't this sound a little fixed? We don't have cancer disabilities (etc). Some personality, learning and cognitive disorders are pretty much intrinsic to an individual (autism, for example). Some diseases excite the pharma world and the neuroscientists in seeking a lucrative cure. Most mental health is a weather system really?? Psychoses are helped with drugs and lots of the smarter kinds of help including self-help. Neuroses are often the natural if challenging and often extreme responses to life. The fsahions in terms of language around this area change constantly - so how do others read 'disability' in this 'diversely and variably abled' world? yours curiously Anne -- *From:* R Chaffe via OSList oslist@lists.openspacetech.org *To:* Therese Fitzpatrick therese.fitzpatr...@gmail.com; World wide Open Space Technology email list oslist@lists.openspacetech.org *Sent:* Monday, 6 October 2014, 1:17 *Subject:* Re: [OSList] Opening space with people with psychiatric disorders who ever comes is the right people. Having spent the past 7 years working directly with persons with a diagnosed disability and 20 years working in the wider community (often with people under significant stress) the same challenge remains and that is to unconditionally accept people on their terms and as they are. The second challenge is give them the security of an Open Space where they can be heard, that is I need to listen. Rev Ray Richmond ( of the Wayside Chapel Kings Cross Sydney) gave me one rule and - harm to others is totally unacceptable and that is where a facilitator must intervene to secure the space. Maslow highlighted the conditions under which people can reach their full potential and safety and security are two conditions that are essential. Facilitating Open Space I can only make one promise and that is to the best of my ability I will create and maintain a secure space where the participants can do what ever they do. I can only promise the environment not the
Re: [OSList] Authority Distribution in Open Space
Daniel, It's been a while. I've offered only silence to authority as I've watched the list and reflected on this topic. Could it be that many of the most resonating posts on the OS List receive a response of silence? The theme of the antonym of Lonely rings in my ears around this question. The silence can be carried as indinewmaganik, beloved and accompanied by Spirit, like a question/session boldly convened, where no ones comes, alone but not lonely, at an Open Space - or in Life. This sense of lonely-antonym came again to me this morning as I listened to Karolina's voice in her blog post that included reflections before the WOSonOS on her walk, alone, through Belgrade seeing buildings deeply damaged from the recent wars. And her thoughts about how much she wanted things to happen, for people to step forward in action. But later, with the help of another attendee, she could shift to the abundance of what actually was present and happening in the WOSonOS. I want a lot of things to happen too. And maybe my wanting things to be different blocks my ability to enjoy what actually is happening. What does any of this have to do with Authority Distribution? Perhaps nothing ... or maybe everything? I quite enjoyed the link to the blog you added in your reply to me. The post had the title Darwin meets Dilbert: Applying the Law of Two Feet to your next meeting. My goodness. How can Authority *not* have relevance in OST when we start out with a *LAW*. Laws are all about authority, no? But curiously, you allude that this Law removes the legitimacy of the victim role. If you're responsible for your experience in Open Space, if you're the victim, you're also the perpetrator. What I really most enjoyed in Jonathan Opp's blog post was his quote from Dr. Seuss. You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. Hey Harrison - this sounds a lot like what you told us when we visited you in Camden. And it definitely is the Law of Two feet in rhyme. So - ok Daniel. Another query for you? If *Open Space* is actually operating all the time, and Open Space invalidates the Victim role, does that mean we can't actually be Victims. If so, why are there so many? Could it be the roles of Victim/Perpetrator/Rescuer - could it be they are all illusions? Wizards cast spells, and we actually buy them? Does that mean Victims take on Victimhood willingly? That doesn't feel right, at least not completely. But maybe Open Space is something we wake up to. And if so, does that mean Authority is only alive in the dream? Or are we the ones inviting others into roles of Authority or lack there of? So, what actually is going on here?!? Are the inmates running the asylum? Or maybe they(we) should be? Blissfully Confused, Harold On 9/28/14 6:37 AM, Daniel Mezick via OSList wrote: Hi Harold, You say: /..I struggle to translate is the concept of coercion and authority from the vantage of it's all open space. Can we really be coerced? How are we all already opting in to empower the authorities?/ // /...Could we just be volunteering for the victim part of our stories?/ // /...I have some thoughts about this, but I wonder what you would say to such a challenge to the relevance of authority in OST?/ Hmmm...interesting questions for sure. My current belief is that authorization dynamics are central to the general dynamics of Open Space. And if it is Open Space all the time then authorization dynamics as desribed in my essay are also there... all the time. Regarding the Open Space meeting format: If we begin at the beginning; that is, at the start of arranging an actual Open Space event in an organization, we immediately work to identify and locate someone duly authorized by the organization, to do the things the Sponsor does, and say the things the Sponsor says. Someone to occupy the Sponsor role. To do that, the person occupying the role must have substantial authority in the organization, usually of the formal variety. Right? Put another way: if the Sponsor is lacking in authorization, can they actually be effective? Larger question: Can the meeting still actually work? What about the post-meeting follow-through? So here we see how /authorization shows up a the very start of any contemplated Open Space event inside an organization/. One last thing: last time I checked, victims are kind of rare in Open Space. Something about the subtext of the Law of 2 Feet ...The Law of Two Feet concept was published in an article by Harrison Owen http://www.openspaceworld.com/brief_history.htm, a member of an organization advocating Open Spaces Technology, a model for organizing meetings that's based around open participation. Here's how Owen describes the rule: ...Briefly stated, this law says that every individual has two feet, and must be prepared to use them. Responsibility for a successful
[OSList] stories from WOSonOS14.
if you fancy a story or two on the city, the event and the access queen quest follow the link…. http://karolinaiwa.com/fourth-recording-september-16-21-wosonos14-world-open-space-on-open-space-belgrade-serbia with warm greetings from berlin, karolina. karolina iwa creativity self-organisation blog I twitter I linkedin D: +49 15774 932193 PL: +48 880 747578 ___ OSList mailing list To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
Re: [OSList] Fifth Principle: Alive and Well in Serbia
Poland in 2015! I am inspired and delighted. We have much to learn from this vibrant country in spirit and in smarts. See article below in New York Times today. I will do my best to be there and try my best to entice others from across the sea to join me. Seems the planning is well underway with open spaces popping up in many places in Poland already. Love from Florida, the WOSonOS host place in 2013. Suzanne http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/10/05/world/europe/poland-economy-european-union-russia-trade-sanctions.html?_r=0referrer= On Wed, Sep 24, 2014 at 10:00 AM, Harrison Owen hho...@verizon.net wrote: I don’t know why it took us so long to discover the 5th Principle (Wherever it happens is the right place) – And for sure the gathering in Belgrade would have put that Principle “Front and Center.” Definitely the RIGHT place! Deep questions (the best part for me) – genuine pleasure, connection, and marvelous conversation... not a few tears and lots of laughter. Couldn’t have been better – and my profound thanks to Jasmina and all the wonderful people who created such a rich and rewarding space. Interesting times for sure: Just a little west of the Ukraine, a little north of The Middle East, and not all that far from Ebola plagued West Africa. It seemed to put everything is sharp perspective, gave it an “edge,” so to speak. Awesome, fearsome, and challenging. It really doesn’t get much better, I don’t think. Harrison Winter Address 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, MD 20854 301-365-2093 Summer Address 189 Beaucaire Ave. Camden, ME 04843 207-763-3261 Websites www.openspaceworld.com http://%20www.openspaceworld.com www.ho-image.com OSLIST To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of OSLIST Go to: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org ___ OSList mailing list To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org -- Suzanne Daigle Open Space Facilitator NuFocus Strategic Group FL 941-359-8877941-359-8877 Cell: 203-722-2009203-722-2009 www.nufocusgroup.com s.dai...@nufocusgroup.com twitter @Daiglesuz Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype ___ OSList mailing list To post send emails to OSList@lists.openspacetech.org To unsubscribe send an email to oslist-le...@lists.openspacetech.org To subscribe or manage your subscription click below: http://lists.openspacetech.org/listinfo.cgi/oslist-openspacetech.org
Re: [OSList] Opening space with people with psychiatric disorders
Thank you all for your answers. It all makes sense, I realized I was dealing with my own fears because of the rush of the event and the location that was a challenge for me last week (a circus with terraces- right now the team found wonderful solutions and I am sure everything will be fine ). Please forgive me for the strange words I used, I hope I did not hurt anyone. My English is what it is , learned as an adult, and I am not aware of mistakes or clumsiness when I write. I meant no offense. In French I am able to choose my words carefully, not in English. However I decided once that I would take the risk of offending people rather than not daring to write on this list. All your answers are too precious to me. It's also a very good way for me to learn proper English. Thank you very much Tree for your words. I am moved. I guess it must be difficult to read my fears projected on people with mental health disabilities. I guess you have to deal with this kind of behaviors quite often. So thank you again for taking the time to write it once more. For sure I will remember it. Especially as I share exactly what you write, my gratitude to Harrison who with Open Space helped me realize that my freedom was all in my own hands, within myself. And that my responsibility was to confront that, and not get trapped by my fears. But instead use my feet. I realize I am shyly beginning to use them (pretty difficult to learn, progress not constant, falling back into traps still too often). This time the traps for me was doctors words. people who are supposed to know. But like me, who are trapped into their own fears. Maybe it will be my lifetime issue. I am reading Marianne Williamson words again Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you *not* to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. This helps. I took my decision : everyone will be welcome, whoever he or she is. To teach us/me - or to touch us/me- with his/her light. Christine On Mon, Oct 6, 2014 at 10:41 AM, Anne Bennett via OSList oslist@lists.openspacetech.org wrote: ...curious about the differing labels (and constructed meanings therein) - disability is an odd one for me when discussing psychiatric/mental health issues - checking with my UK cohorts - doesn't this sound a little fixed? We don't have cancer disabilities (etc). Some personality, learning and cognitive disorders are pretty much intrinsic to an individual (autism, for example). Some diseases excite the pharma world and the neuroscientists in seeking a lucrative cure. Most mental health is a weather system really?? Psychoses are helped with drugs and lots of the smarter kinds of help including self-help. Neuroses are often the natural if challenging and often extreme responses to life. The fsahions in terms of language around this area change constantly - so how do others read 'disability' in this 'diversely and variably abled' world? yours curiously Anne -- *From:* R Chaffe via OSList oslist@lists.openspacetech.org *To:* Therese Fitzpatrick therese.fitzpatr...@gmail.com; World wide Open Space Technology email list oslist@lists.openspacetech.org *Sent:* Monday, 6 October 2014, 1:17 *Subject:* Re: [OSList] Opening space with people with psychiatric disorders who ever comes is the right people. Having spent the past 7 years working directly with persons with a diagnosed disability and 20 years working in the wider community (often with people under significant stress) the same challenge remains and that is to unconditionally accept people on their terms and as they are. The second challenge is give them the security of an Open Space where they can be heard, that is I need to listen. Rev Ray Richmond ( of the Wayside Chapel Kings Cross Sydney) gave me one rule and - harm to others is totally unacceptable and that is where a facilitator must intervene to secure the space. Maslow highlighted the conditions under which people can reach their full potential and safety and security are two conditions that are essential. Facilitating Open Space I can only make one promise and that is to the best of my ability I will create and maintain a secure space where the participants can do what ever they do. I can only promise the environment not the
Re: [OSList] Authority Distribution in Open Space
Daniel, It's been a while. I've offered only silence to authority as I've watched the list and reflected on this topic. Could it be that many of the most resonating posts on the OS List receive a response of silence? The theme of the antonym of Lonely rings in my ears around this question. The silence can be carried as indinewmaganik, beloved and accompanied by Spirit, like a question/session boldly convened, where no ones comes, alone but not lonely, at an Open Space - or in Life. This sense of lonely-antonym came again to me this morning as I listened to Karolina's voice in her blog post that included reflections before the WOSonOS on her walk, alone, through Belgrade seeing buildings deeply damaged from the recent wars. And her thoughts about how much she wanted things to happen, for people to step forward in action. But later, with the help of another attendee, she could shift to the abundance of what actually was present and happening in the WOSonOS. I want a lot of things to happen too. And maybe my wanting things to be different blocks my ability to enjoy what actually is happening. What does any of this have to do with Authority Distribution? Perhaps nothing ... or maybe everything? I quite enjoyed the link to the blog you added in your reply to me. The post had the title Darwin meets Dilbert: Applying the Law of Two Feet to your next meeting. My goodness. How can Authority *not* have relevance in OST when we start out with a *LAW*. Laws are all about authority, no? But curiously, you allude that this Law removes the legitimacy of the victim role. If you're responsible for your experience in Open Space, if you're the victim, you're also the perpetrator. What I really most enjoyed in Jonathan Opp's blog post was his quote from Dr. Seuss. You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. Hey Harrison - this sounds a lot like what you told us when we visited you in Camden. And it definitely is the Law of Two feet in rhyme. So - ok Daniel. Another query for you? If *Open Space* is actually operating all the time, and Open Space invalidates the Victim role, does that mean we can't actually be Victims. If so, why are there so many? Could it be the roles of Victim/Perpetrator/Rescuer - could it be they are all illusions? Wizards cast spells, and we actually buy them? Does that mean Victims take on Victimhood willingly? That doesn't feel right, at least not completely. But maybe Open Space is something we wake up to. And if so, does that mean Authority is only alive in the dream? Or are we the ones inviting others into roles of Authority or lack there of? So, what actually is going on here?!? Are the inmates running the asylum? Or maybe they(we) should be? Blissfully Confused, Harold On 9/28/14 6:37 AM, Daniel Mezick via OSList wrote: Hi Harold, You say: /..I struggle to translate is the concept of coercion and authority from the vantage of it's all open space. Can we really be coerced? How are we all already opting in to empower the authorities?/ // /...Could we just be volunteering for the victim part of our stories?/ // /...I have some thoughts about this, but I wonder what you would say to such a challenge to the relevance of authority in OST?/ Hmmm...interesting questions for sure. My current belief is that authorization dynamics are central to the general dynamics of Open Space. And if it is Open Space all the time then authorization dynamics as desribed in my essay are also there... all the time. Regarding the Open Space meeting format: If we begin at the beginning; that is, at the start of arranging an actual Open Space event in an organization, we immediately work to identify and locate someone duly authorized by the organization, to do the things the Sponsor does, and say the things the Sponsor says. Someone to occupy the Sponsor role. To do that, the person occupying the role must have substantial authority in the organization, usually of the formal variety. Right? Put another way: if the Sponsor is lacking in authorization, can they actually be effective? Larger question: Can the meeting still actually work? What about the post-meeting follow-through? So here we see how /authorization shows up a the very start of any contemplated Open Space event inside an organization/. One last thing: last time I checked, victims are kind of rare in Open Space. Something about the subtext of the Law of 2 Feet ...The Law of Two Feet concept was published in an article by Harrison Owen http://www.openspaceworld.com/brief_history.htm, a member of an organization advocating Open Spaces Technology, a model for organizing meetings that's based around open participation. Here's how Owen describes the rule: ...Briefly stated, this law says that every individual has two feet, and must be prepared to use them. Responsibility for a successful
