This conference is not for everybody, especially those who expect or require a tightly structured, carefully controlled event. We will enter into Open Space without prepared agenda or clear-cut knowledge as to where we will end up. We will only know our theme, who is coming, and what they are interested in. Be prepared to be surprised. Please consider joining us in Open Space November 15-18, 1999
You're invited . . . Growing Our Now* A Journey in Open Space Beyond Our Times The Millennium is a joke. Indeed the truly funny part is that we in the West take it so seriously. In fact, we (in the West) can’t even get the story right. January 1, 2000 does not initiate the Millennium. That actually takes place a year later. So why all the fuss? What’s the point? The point may well be that once again we are shooting ourselves in the foot – confusing OUR time with THE Time. Could it not be that OUR time is but one further example of our need for control and a pathetic reminder that we don’t have it and cannot gain it? Our time. Our space. My time. My space. Things we struggle for, and sometimes die for. But at the end of the day, do we really own any of it? Perhaps it just a figment of our imagination, powerful to be sure, and occasionally useful? But a figment for all of that. What we truly have – all of us in every part of the planet and all beings in the cosmos beyond – is Now. Time and Space divide. Now unites. Nobody owns it, and truthfully, Now is all there is. We are quite clear that the past is over and the future hasn’t happened yet. What we have is Now. And how big is now? Your Now, My Now. Our Now? Some of us, and probably most of us some of the time, have very skinny little nows. We struggle constantly to fit everything in. And the more we struggle the smaller now becomes. Things just don’t fit, and Time Management is a exercise in futility. Simplifying our lives is certainly a possibility. If only we could eliminate all those “must dos” – and truthfully, how many of them are really essential? There is an alternative. Why not grow Now? Barry and I invite you to join us, along with friends and colleagues who may become friends, to explore the possibilities, and maybe even realize some results – a growing Now. There is no magic formula, nor secret path. It is really all about becoming what we already are. Creatures in the now (and here) limited only by our willingness to expand our awareness. Sincerely, Harrison and Barry Owen THE PLAN: The Plan, like the Millennium, is a joke, for there is no plan, only a journey, with a beginning and an end. And perhaps there was no beginning nor will there be an end – but all of that will be a matter of discovery. The journey will start in the evening with a guided meditation created by Harrison and Michael Jones, a pianist who records for NARADA. If we can persuade Michael to come we could do it for “real,” but carrying a concert grand is a little much, so we will rely on the magic of the NARADA engineers and an exquisite CD. The title is the title of our gathering, and collectively we will explore our individual and collective sense of a growing Now. For the next two and a half days, we will be in Open Space exploring whatever has heart and meaning for each of us and all of us. There will be no featured speakers, panels or proceedings. Just us, and for sure whoever comes will be the right people. From the deep resources of those who gather a rich fabric of meaning will emerge. It always does. Please join us. PRACTICALITIES Dates: November 15-18, 1999 (reserve room for 15,16,17) Place: Twin Pines Resort & Conference Center - Just South of Birmingham, Alabama Phone: 205-672-7575 Fax: 205-672-2103 Website: "http://twinpinesresort.com/"; Space is limited to the first 40 rooms only. Costs: Room, all meals, and all conference facilities - Single Occupancy: $129.91/person/night Double Occupancy: $116.82/person/night Conference Fee: We are asking $100 to cover expenses, but if that is more than you can handle, pay what you can. Reservations and Registration: Please make your reservations directly with the conference center (Phone: 205-672-7575). Send your conference fee and registration to: Barry Owen-The Owen Group / 5518 Kendall Drive / Nashville, TN 37209 Phone: 615-356-2888 Fax: 615-263-4848 Email: [email protected] Full Participation: This gathering will not work for “drop-ins” So please plan to come for the whole thing. That is the only way you can receive full benefit of the gifts of your fellow colleagues, and for sure it is the only way they can benefit fully from you. Cancellations: In the event that your plans change please let Barry know as soon as possible. 50% of your conference fee will be refunded up 30 days prior to the conference. The title of this gathering, Growing Our Now was first used (with modification) 4 years ago for a conference sponsored by Harrison and Anne Stadler. That conference was a unique, once done, and never to be repeated occasion. So this is not a sequel – or even the second annual. But we anticipate that it will be no less remarkable. Subsequent to that conference, Harrison published a book, Expanding Our Now (Berrett-Koehler\1997), and created the CD with Michael Jones. The similarities in titles and the fact that Harrison is involved with this gathering is probably not coincidental, nor is it particularly significant. **************************************************************************** * Registration Form Growing Our Now / November 15-18 Name………………………………………………………………………………………………. Address……………………………………………………………………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Telephone…………………………….Email…………………………………………………….. Registration Fee ($100) (____) Room reservation made with Twin Pines Resort (____) SEND TO: Barry Owen / The Owen Group / 5518 Kendall Drive./ Nashville / TN / 37209 Make check payable to Barry Owen-The Owen Group in US dollars and drawn on any US bank. Phone (615)356-2888 Fax (615) 263-4848 Email [email protected] Barry Owen The Owen Group 5518 Kendall Drive Nashville, TN 37209 Phone 615-356-2888 Simply living the FourFold Way in Open Space My Worldwide Open Space Web-site: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/9215/
