Ralph, I am not defending a word--and I wish it were something other than "technology". "Spagetti" is a bit too sticky (at least the way I cook t:-( and a word like soup or casserole might just suit this meeting process better, hmm Open Space Casserole. Hot and heavy or light and fluffy. It has potential. However, unfortunately, the name given by Harrison in his book is "Open Space Technology". Even Harrison has a disclaimer about it.
However, I do like to bring attention to what we are really doing here so that we can wrestle with the notion that Open Space exists with or without us. Within that large and beautiful Open Space, we have the privilege of bringing attention to what is already present: nutrient ground for our spirits to flourish, experience joy, and evolve and create. We bring attention to what is already present when a group comes together using the gift of Open Space Technology. And we have the privilege of bringing attention to what is already present as the natural way of organizations when we assist in the evolution (or maybe devolution) to an Open Space Organization. Both are windows into All that is. Blessings, Birgitt Birgitt Williams Make Genuine Contact! Dalar Associates: organizational effectiveness consultants Striving for Success? Ready to exceed your expectations? Contact us for consulting services, training, conference and meeting facilitation, and keynote speaking. www.openspacetechnology.com <http://www.openspacetechnology.com> -----Original Message----- From: OSLIST [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Murli Nagasundaram Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2000 11:37 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Terminology and the universe Hi, If someone wants to call it "open space" and someone else wants to append the word "technology", that's fine. I choose not to do it. (Here we go again.) My discomfort with using the "T" word is that I'm embarrassed by it. I personally find it difficult to apply it to a process that is so clearly un-technological! I think clients are confused by the term, especially after they've seen how the meeting actually goes. Personally, I find it a completely un-useful distinction. I also think, in the long run, you can call it spaghetti with marinara sauce and porcini mushrooms as long as people bring their passions to the theme in question, and as long as you open it, hold it, and close it well. BUT, Birgitt has raised another of her ground-breaking points with interesting implications for what we do. What is the nature of the universe? Is it truly open space? Time that is genuinely free? And if the universe is, in fact open space, and we seek a meeting process that most clearly and cleanly reflects the way of the natural universe, are we there yet? -- Ralph Copleman www.earthdreams.net 609-895-1629 * * ========================================================== [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected] Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html =========================================================== [email protected] To subscribe, 1. Visit: http://www.egroups.com/group/oslist 2. Sign up -- provide an email address, and choose a login ID and password 3. Click on "Subscribe" and follow the instructions To unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: 1. Visit: http://www.egroups.com/group/oslist 2. Sign in and Proceed * * ========================================================== [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected] Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html =========================================================== [email protected] To subscribe, 1. Visit: http://www.egroups.com/group/oslist 2. Sign up -- provide an email address, and choose a login ID and password 3. Click on "Subscribe" and follow the instructions To unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: 1. Visit: http://www.egroups.com/group/oslist 2. Sign in and Proceed
