Hello Anna Caroline, At this point, my week in Bilbao is indistinguishable from my OST experience as a whole. Considering open space as primarily experiential and personal, I would probably like to keep it this way.
I wrote this note as a spontaneous light hearted attempt to encapsulate some fleeting thoughts and sensations that coalesced from the various sessions I participated in. In that sense it is rooted in my specific OST Bilbao experience. But I suppose it could be extrapolated to OST in general. Some of the most personal experiences and meditations I had while hiking on the basque coastline during the week-end are also present here. To be perfectly honest, I was also trying to be a little "tongue in cheek" by bringing together seemingly unrelated and unexpected topics. Those associations make sense to me but in a way that was more instinctive than rational. I have not really rationalized further until now. I am very happy you are calling me on it however and I guess you are now asking me to start writing the chapters of this hypothetical book. I hear what you are saying about your reservations regarding corporate resistance. However, one of my personal take away from my stay in Bilbao is that if we truly believe that it is important to bring in philosophical or spiritual considerations, we should be confident and bold about it and not try to bow to a rather stiff corporate way. The justification is that a unique and possibly unusual perspective is precisely the highest value we can bring to the corporate world. The relative stiffness and conformism of corporations (especially as they grow big) is a core problem they face to remain nimble and innovative. They need a bit of shaken up. I think some corporate leaders recognize this and might be more attracted to thought provoking and intriguing notions. In that sense, I really like your proposal for breath and intimacy. And for some reason that makes me think of silence. Now, that being said beyond slightly provocative titles the important part is to bring some substance and valuable insights. So let me try to give it a go on the two chapters you mention. *Energy, sexuality and quantum physics* Well, obviously that title is meant to be both provocative and confusing. I mean, what is the relation between quantum physics and sexuality right? You rightly picked up on sexuality which is taboo especially in the workplace. Organizations are now essentially a-sexual. We should certainly celebrate the progress that has been made to make harassment in the workplace unacceptable and we must continue in this direction. At the same time most of us are not asexual and I think it is both illusory and hypocritical to ask people to switch off their sexual energy while at work. One of the session we had in Bilbao offers a possible avenue of exploration by expanding on the notion of sexual energy. To be precise, the session was about *sacred* sexuality as a tool for social transformation. During the session, we danced in order to loosen up and then we explored levels of intimacy through a guided shared experience of our 5 senses. It was very intense and sometimes quite challenging. I personally found it disturbing and difficult but also liberating. For instance, when you do spend even a few seconds with someone, smelling each other, it does change how you relate to one another. So that is the social transformation part. It is very animalistic and I guess it's the point. In sacred sexuality we try to connect to the primal energy of creation. As the convener of the session defines it : "the energy of sacred sexuality, as the energy of life creation, which helps us to integrate our accepted and denied parts (lights and shadows) and leads to living in TOTALITY". The ability to be totally present (oneness) is a theme that should resonate with many visionary organisations / leaders. It is about reclaiming sexual energy which had been repressed by religion and has now been commercialized and consequently distorted. This is in essence a spiritual journey. That primal energy relates to the "eros" of the ancient greek. It is the same energy which pushes a blade of grass to grow even through a small crack in the pavement. It is in a sense the energy of life. This creative energy is at the core of reproduction and sexuality but it can also be expressed in ways that are not purely sexual. This is the key that is offered here. Rather than trying to suppress and repress sexual energy the proposal is to find ways to transcend and harness this powerful energy and express it in ways that are safe and respectful as well as fruitful and transformative. I see this primal energy as a potential. Something that can be felt and that stirs us. It is like a fire inside which can consume us or which we can learn to utilize in productive and creative ways. This energy exists but it is not real until we actualize it into action on the world. And this is the link with quantum physics. Quantum particles have a probability state or quantum wave function which is unknown and unknowable until it is collapsed through observation. This connection would need further elaboration but there maybe something interesting. *Open Space as social and personal therapy* I suppose organizational therapy would be more correct. I guess the reason why you picked up therapy has somewhat corporate inappropriate has to do with stigma around mental health and psychotherapy. Mental health is a hot issue in corporations these days. HR departments all over are working hard to dissipate that stigma and to create safe places for people to express their vulnerability. At an individual level I believe this is driven by empathy and acceptance. From the point of view of the organization, the motivations might be more about safety, innovation and ultimately productivity. I personally have reservations about the notion of mental illness because it tends to push the responsibility on the individual. It implies that it is the individual who is ill and therefore requires treatment. Worse still, treatment too often equates to chemicals. While it is true that individually we ought to do work on ourselves and deal with whatever issues we have or have inherited, I believe that a more holistic perspective is more fruitful and sustainable. It would need to recognize that the social, societal and organizational contexts are also very important to mental well being. Many therapies are based on language and open communication. They require a space that is safe and free of judgment. I think Open Space can provide that and in a sense aims to do that by default. We call on passion and responsibility. Both are challenging in their own way. Passion in particular can expose some of our vulnerabilities. Ideally, an open space event should allow people to raise issues or questions that they did not dare raise before. Mostly because there was no safe mechanism to do so. In open space, it is part of the game. This in itself (taking the skeleton out of the closet) is already therapeutic for both the individual and the group. The discussion that ensues, provided that it is done with respect, can also have very therapeutic effects. People feel heard. The organization has an opportunity to grow and even maybe heal some untold conflict or misunderstanding. So here it is, I hope it offers some clarification and hopefully triggers further thought. I look forward to further feedback and discussion. Most kind regards, JF On Fri, Oct 7, 2022 at 7:02 PM Anna Caroline Türk < [email protected]> wrote: > Hi JF, > > I am happy you enjoyed your Open Space experience in Bilbao. > I wondering if your list speaks to your week in Bilbao or to your > experience of Open Space Technology? > > "Your List / potential chapters of a book" include: > > - Coming home to transformation > - Energy, sexuality and quantum physics > - Matter, time and the architecture or open space > - Can touchy-feely break corporate dogmatic straitjacket > - Open Space as social and personal therapy > - Comprehensiveness and perceived randomness (or spontaneity as fit > for purpose solution) > > You spoke about your perceptions that leaders might be afraid of applying > OST in the corporate context. > I feel some resistance when I read "sexuality" and "therapy" - can you > speak more to your points so I can understand this better? > > When I think of a list/ chapters about OST I can imagine including: > > - invitation > - circle > - breath > - emergence > - energy > - creation > - power > - connection > - intimacy > - genuine connections > - wisdom > - actions > > What would others add to their list/chapter of a book about Open Space > Technology? > > Greetings from Berlin > Anna Caroline > > > *Anna Caroline Türk* > Mentor to Visionary Leaders > +49(0)176 24872254 | TruthCircles.com <http://TruthCircles.com> > > > > Am Di., 4. Okt. 2022 um 14:14 Uhr schrieb Thomas Perret < > [email protected]>: > >> Open Space as social therapy! >> >> I love it. Especially as a chapter in a book. >> >> I feel your message and I look forward to my next coming home to >> transformation. >> >> Best, Thomas >> >> On 2022-10-04 09:10, JF wrote: >> > Hello Everyone, >> > >> > So here I am back from an intense and very rewarding OST experience in >> > Bilbao. It was indeed a very transformative moment right at the >> > inflexion point of my personal and professional development. The funny >> > thing though is that despite the novelty and all the new faces it felt >> > like coming home. A feeling hard to explain but I suspect people on >> > this list would understand. >> > >> > As I was driving back on Saturday there were so many thoughts coming >> > through my mind I thought I could probably write a whole book about >> > this amazing week in Basque country. Here are some of the chapters >> > title for that book: >> > >> > * Coming home to transformation >> > * Energy, sexuality and quantum physics >> > * Matter, time and the architecture or open space >> > * Can touchy-feely break corporate dogmatic straitjacket >> > * Open Space as social and personal therapy >> > * Comprehensiveness and perceived randomness (or spontaneity as >> fit >> > for purpose solution) >> > >> > I would like to thank everyone for a very warm welcome and amazing >> > discussions and thank you for the encouragement from people on this >> > list to make the trip. >> > >> > Most warm greetings and hugs, >> > JF >> > >> > On Sun, Sep 18, 2022 at 6:44 PM ingrid ebeling ebus >> > <[email protected]> wrote: >> > >> >> Dear Gentza, >> >> >> >> well, yesterday I decided to come and join the WOSonOS 2022 in >> >> Bilbao. I hesitated for quite a while, taking the train 32 hours or >> >> what ever. All the sudden it seemed to be easy and got myself a >> >> flight ticket. >> >> Regarding the accommodation I need some help. Earlier you mentioned >> >> a centric new hostel 5 minutes´ walk from the WOSonOS. How can I >> >> find out, whether it is still available or find an alternative >> >> house? >> >> >> >> Now I’m looking forward seeing you all. >> >> >> >> Ingrid >> >> >> >> Ingrid Ebeling, EBUS >> >> >> >> Systemic Prozess facilitation Executive Coaching • Large Group >> >> Intervention >> >> >> >> Am Alten Gehäge 6 • D- 30657 Hannover • Germany >> >> fon +49-511-336 03 30 • mobile +49-172-5145179 >> >> [email protected] >> >> >> >> Am 09.09.2022 um 10:31 schrieb Gentza Eleder >> >> <[email protected]>: >> >> >> >> Hi Jean Fracnçois! >> >> >> >> I'm happy about your decission! >> >> Let us know if there's anything we could help you with. >> >> Same for anyone that still is considering to take part totally or >> >> partially in the WOS week in Bilbao, we are happy to make it >> >> easaier to you! >> >> >> >> >> >> We are passionate about making it easier to anyone that feels the >> >> thrill and the passion on this gathering to join us! >> >> >> >> The "travel" is being so nice! >> >> >> >> Best wishes! >> >> >> >> Gentza Eleder Aurtenetxe Pildain >> >> >> >> http://guneirekiarenlagunak.weebly.com/ >> >> >> >> Mundaka >> >> >> >> (+0034) 638.733.223 >> >> >> >> ps. Michael, we'll keep you in our hearts Bilbao, and will do our >> >> best to join you some day, maybe next year, in Berlin! Thanks so >> >> much for your support! >> >> >> >> ------- Original Message ------- >> >> >> >> Em quinta-feira, 8 de setembro de 2022 às 22:25, JF >> >> <[email protected]> escreveu: >> >> >> >> Thank you so much Michael for your warm and inspiring message. I >> >> will definitely be in Bilbao, and am looking forward to it. >> >> Gentza, I had read the OST user guide a few year's back but it has >> >> been a while so a good suggestion to re-read it. I will see how much >> >> I am able to commit for the Bilbao OS. For sure I'ld like to >> >> participate to the OSonOS I will have to see about the earlier >> >> session. If so yes helping preparing the space is probably a good >> >> idea. I have organised concerts before and I do appreciate the >> >> thrill of anticipation. >> >> Thank you all, >> >> JF >> >> >> >> On Thu, Sep 8, 2022 at 5:37 PM WilbaOS <[email protected]> >> >> wrote: >> >> >> >> Michael, thanks so much, first of all for your shiny explanation on >> >> the message 08.09 on self-organization taken place in OST meetings, >> >> and we just willing to re-enjoy this, not so much looking for an >> >> explanation, that's it! >> >> >> >> I'm sure we'll witness this magic soon in Bilbao (jsut 3 weeks!)). >> >> >> >> Dear Jean François, my previous experience with WOSonOS has been >> >> always so rewarding, that, feeling a bit sad after two years in >> >> which we had no way to ressemble, I asked around and, after a few >> >> colleagues said "go ahead" in December, we started joyfully with our >> >> small dream. >> >> >> >> Now we are happy to see that around 40 people we'll be enjoying 2 OS >> >> meetings in Bilbao soon. We espce that many more will sign up during >> >> next days (if some of you are considering it, please contact us for >> >> whatever we could help you: [email protected]) >> >> >> >> 26+27th of September, withe the ample question: 2020+ Complex times: >> >> how are we going ahead in cooperative ways? >> >> >> >> 29th+30th of September: how can we refine and expand our OS practice >> >> all over the world? >> >> >> >> >> >> JF, I invite you, if having time, to read "Open Space Technology: >> >> the user's guide (Harrison Owen)", and if you are willing, join us >> >> in the practice of preparing the space during the 23th September and >> >> / or 28th. Let us know if we can anyhow make your coming easier! >> >> >> >> Regarding the Goodhabitz documentary, they'll be coming to WOSonOS >> >> in Bilbao, and we'll thank some of you answering to their >> >> interviews. >> >> >> >> Looking forward to meet you soon in Bilbao! >> >> >> >> Thansk for spreading the heartly invitation! >> >> >> >> Gentza Eleder >> >> Mundaka/Bilbao >> >> >> >> http://guneirekiarenlagunak.weebly.com/ >> >> >> >> https://twitter.com/OpenSpace_EH >> >> >> >> Sent with Proton Mail [1] secure email. >> >> >> >> ------- Original Message ------- >> >> On Thursday, September 8th, 2022 at 16:45, Michael M Pannwitz >> >> <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> >> Dear Jean-Francois, >> >> >> >> yes, experiencing open space in an OST setting is the best way to >> >> get into this experiment which will be lifelong, I guarantee. >> >> In fact, some folks know that open space and the approach can not be >> >> learned or taught but it can be remembered. In other words, we >> >> already know about it. But all kind of circumstances have led to it >> >> being burried deep down. >> >> In so called open space "Trainings" where 97% of the time everything >> >> is entirely selforganizing, lasting 3 to 5 days (I love the 5 day >> >> variety) where the trainers are mostly invisible, its been observed, >> >> that participants could no longer do without open space. >> >> So, Bilbao is also a variety of "training" with the opportunity to >> >> take a deep dive and upon surfacing you will breathe something that >> >> you never experienced before. >> >> For me, it was life changing. And that at the age of 56 with 3 >> >> decades of all kinds of OD behing me and pretty sure that I knew >> >> everything. It was tough work to drop my old habits and in a way it >> >> still is. By the way, that was in 1996 at a "training" with Harrison >> >> Owen and Romy Shovelton in Roffey Park... >> >> >> >> So, get on your motorcycle or start walking or hitchhiking towards >> >> Bilbao and have a great time. >> >> >> >> Greetings from Berlin >> >> mmp >> >> >> >> PS: Dont forget to include yourself in the Open Space World Map >> >> https://www.openspaceworldmap.org/inclusion >> >> and add a picture so I can see you when writing corresponding with >> >> you. >> >> At my age I rarely leave my neighborhood, but have a grand time >> >> here... I might leave it once more if the next WOSonOS will be in >> >> Berlin, I hear some folks are planning that for 2023... >> >> >> >> Am 08.09.2022 um 14:56 schrieb JF: >> >> >> >> Hello All, >> >> I have been on this list and be interested in OST for many years. >> >> Yet I have never (until now) taken the opportunity to develop this >> >> interest further and actually participate and be involved with OST >> >> events. >> >> I am currently in a professional transition from being a manager in >> >> a large engineering firm to becoming self employed project manager >> >> with a view to help build collective intelligence in organisations >> >> through innovative organisational structures (e.g. holacracy) and >> >> various practices such as OST. >> >> I would like to learn and experience more and I have been told >> >> before that the best and only way to learn about OST is to >> >> experience it first hand. That makes a lot of sense and I think that >> >> this would be a great eye opener for me as well as a growing >> >> opportunity. Therefore I am contemplating participating in the next >> >> OSonOS in Bilbao (I live in the south of France) but I want to make >> >> sure that this is appropriate for someone who want to get initiated >> >> in OST. >> >> Thanks in advance for your comments and / or advice. >> >> Regads, >> >> >> >> Jean-François (JF) >> >> >> >> On Tue, Aug 23, 2022 at 7:49 PM Michael M Pannwitz >> >> <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> >> >> Dear Gentza Eleder, >> >> >> >> you might tell them that ost is an approach to expand time and space >> >> for the unfolding of selforganisation. It is not an intention of ost >> >> to change business culture, have better meetings or all the other >> >> things one might find important. >> >> It has been noticed however, that ost events bring about amazing >> >> stuff every time those gatherings are convened and that folks find >> >> that these were the best meetings they ever experienced. How that >> >> happens has never been grasped. And participants are regularily >> >> simply not interested to research this, they just want to get going. >> >> The important observation is that it works. And if it is used >> >> regularily in an organisation those organisations change all by >> >> themselves (see the decade long experiment in the Agency for Youth >> >> in Europe). >> >> Selforganisation has never been grasped but it is the central force >> >> in the unfolding of everything that has happened on this planet for >> >> billions of year. >> >> It has been observed that some very few prerequisites need to be in >> >> place to get the the right conditions for getting this experiment in >> >> selforganisation to unfold: sticky problem, high complexity of the >> >> matter, large diversity of participants, high conflict and high >> >> urgency to act and, not to forget, voluntarty participation. >> >> >> >> Everyone attending our event in Bilbao is an expert, even experts in >> >> attendance that are zoologists, psychologists, anthropologists, >> >> medicine men, sociologists, cooks, gardeners, plumbers, architects, >> >> teachers, mothers and very important: children. If you have children >> >> and youngsters at the event among all the others you will find that >> >> an amazing ingredient for the diversity soup. Nobody knows why and >> >> it needs not to be researched, we have seen it. >> >> >> >> Hope you get a great film that is shown in all cinemas around the >> >> world. >> >> >> >> Greetings from Berlin >> >> Love and Peace >> >> mmp >> >> >> >> Am 23.08.2022 um 18:09 schrieb Gentza Eleder: >> >> >> >> Hi friends, how are you? >> >> We are having since July some converations with GoodHabitz >> >> Documentaries [2]. >> >> They are very interested in OST and are planning to come to Bilbao >> >> to film and make some interviews during the 28th World Open Space on >> >> Open Space. >> >> >> >> Now, they asked something that I thought would be best to spread >> >> through the OSLIST, as follows: >> >> >> >> .... >> >> >> >> For the film we are still looking for anybody who is a >> >> psychologist/anthropologist/sociologist or business culture expert. >> >> Or someone with a lot of knowledge in this field. We would like to >> >> interview such an expert about how you can change the business >> >> culture or the approach in order to have better meetings. >> >> >> >> .... >> >> >> >> Do you know if there are more experts who are attending the event? >> >> >> >> Would you, please, specially if planning to join as in Bilbao in >> >> September, take some time to answer Marije (you can add us, as cc)? >> >> >> >> I've proposed her to join herself the OSLIST to take part directly >> >> in the conversation or open new questions. >> >> >> >> Best of all, >> >> >> >> Gentza Eleder >> >> >> >> BuM_31 unJobbing >> >> >> >> Mundaka >> >> >> >> (+0034) 638.733.223 >> >> >> >> ------- Original Message ------- >> >> Em terça-feira, 23 de agosto de 2022 às 10:10, Marije Kuipers >> >> <[email protected]> escreveu: >> >> >> >> Hi Gentza, good morning! >> >> >> >> How are you? Thanks for your email. Great answers! >> >> >> >> I forgot to ask, have you been filmed before? And is it online? Just >> >> to get an idea :) >> >> >> >> .... >> >> >> >> For the film we are still looking for anybody who is a >> >> psychologist/anthropologist/sociologist or business culture expert. >> >> Or someone with a lot of knowledge in this field. We would like to >> >> interview such an expert about how you can change the business >> >> culture or the approach in order to have better meetings. >> >> >> >> .... >> >> >> >> Do you know if there are more experts who are attending the event? >> >> >> >> Hope to hear from you. >> >> >> >> Thanks for your time and efforts! >> >> >> >> Have a good day, >> >> Marije >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> >> OSList mailing list -- [email protected] >> >> To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >> > >> > Michael M Pannwitz >> > Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin >> > +49 30 7728000 [email protected] >> > _______________________________________________ >> > OSList mailing list -- [email protected] >> > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >> > >> > Michael M Pannwitz >> > Draisweg 1, 12209 Berlin >> > +49 30 7728000 [email protected] >> > >> > _______________________________________________ >> > OSList mailing list -- [email protected] >> > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >> > >> > >> > >> > Links: >> > ------ >> > [1] https://proton.me/ >> > [2] >> > >> https://www.goodhabitz.com/en-gb/why-goodhabitz/doing-things-differently/goodhabitz-moments/ >> > _______________________________________________ >> > OSList mailing list -- [email protected] >> > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >> >> --- >> All is possible together >> _______________________________________________ >> OSList mailing list -- [email protected] >> To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >> > _______________________________________________ > OSList mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] >
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