In 1997 a colleague and fellow leadership coach from the 'Council for Excellence in Government' and I were having lunch at the Glen Echo Inn just outside Washington DC. We were discussing how exciting and successful the previous day's Open Space for 200 federal government leaders had been; our first exposure.
A courtly gentleman dressed in black politely approached us and asked if we were referring to Open Space Technology. Of course, it was Harrison, who lived close by. He joined us for the rest of the afternoon and was delighted to learn that the feds had wholeheartedly embraced the experience and were in action to implement the session outcomes.
That experience was the first of probably over 100 OST events for me as a participant and more often as a (so-called!) 'facilitator'.
As with all of you in this treasured community OST has been and continues to be a personal and professional blessing. It always works!
How appropriate that my next one (here in Black Mountain NC) has a theme of "Practicing Love".
Harrison taught us all how to do that by being and sharing his love.
With Much Love and Gratitude to All -
Steve Cochran With deepest sympathy as we remember Harrison Owen.
We were fortunate to have the opportunity to welcome Mr. Harrison to Japan and have him teach us directly when Open Space Technology was still unknown in our country. We think back on those days as if they were yesterday.
We are truly grateful for his spirit, insight, and most of all, for the tremendous influence his being has had on Japanese practitioners. We hope to continue to live the principles of Open Space.
Please rest in peace.
Human Value from Japan
(Daisuke Kawaguchi, Gen Shimoyama) Dear precious friends and colleagues,
Last night Barry Owen reached out to me to say that his dad had passed away... peacefully a few hours earlier in Camden Maine.
He briefly described that Harrison had prepared his family, friends and colleagues well for this moment. Staying in touch and connecting, opening and holding the space.
And that space will always be open, said Barry. "He's still holding the space now...
Earlier in the day, Barry had also shared a love note with me that he wrote to his dad. I asked if he/we could post it here feeling that the message speaks to all of us — his Global Open Space family. He heartily agreed.
Barry was back on the job this morning, in a way, honoring his father's wishes that none of us work too hard or make too much of a big deal of him leaving us. Of course we know that's impossible for a billion reasons.
But for now as we sit together in this big global circle, grieving and missing him, with hige blank white sheets in the middle of the virtual floor, each of us expressing our thoughts, feelings and memories, captured in a very special future Book of Proceedings, HERE..the love note that Barry send to his to his dad. I am but the humble messenger. Suzanne
The Title: Loving You Good morning Dad! I hope you are feeling the love and comfort from the many millions (BILLIONS) people whose lives have been enriched by your presence throughout your 88 years while here on Earth. I wish for you a passing of comfort, Love, Peace, Joy HAPPINESS to have lived your life to your FULLEST. You Taught us not to work so damned HARD All the right things have happened the Lord knows you will pass when "it" is over! --THANK YOU for "The Law of 2 feet"
Barry
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