Sorry I haven't been too active here recently. Too many miles, hopes, fears, joys and many more unmentionables. The last three weeks have seen me wander thought Israel, Palestine, Estonia, and lastly Sweden. We did three full training programs (3-4 days each) in a little more than 12 days. There really has to be a better way, or I will totally blow my reputation for doing less and being more. However, I think it was all worth it -- at least to me. And some funny things happened along the way. For example, the extended discussions I had with my Palestinian friends prior to the program about the inadvisability of using the word Peace. Seems like it has been used to the point of oblivion, and worse -- it always seems to precipitate a heated political discussion when mentioned. The very opposite of Peace. But how do you conduct a program with the title, Practice of Peace, and never mention the word? Particularly when all your overheads are laced with the "P" word???
So, I resolved to sin boldly -- albeit carefully. When we started things off in Ramallah, I told the story of the gathering in Rome. Fortunately some of the participants had been there, so when the unbelievable overwhelmed common sense, they rose magnificently to the occasion with their own descriptions, and they even used the "P" word. Sensing some small advantage, I asked the rhetorical question -- What on earth would drive an overfed, aging American to cram his body into a cramped airplane seat for 6000 miles with a destination of Ramalleh, even as his president was trying to start a war in the neighborhood??? Insanity ? Search for Peace? Take your pick. Anyhow, we talked about Peace -- and more importantly, I know we experienced it in those magic moments that Open Space inevitably provides. In a land where respect, trust and hope all seem to have gone on holiday -- all three showed up. Remarkable. My time with Tova and Avner, my wonderful Israeli colleagues, was no less rich. We did the training program as advertised, but the high point for me occurred on the 3rd day, when "graduates" from the preceding year joined us. There are now some 40 people in the area prepared to open space, with Tova and Avner leading the way. Numbers get a little foggy, but I believe that between the two of them space has been opened some 65 times in the past year. Hell that is more than I have done in the last five years! And it is happening all over the place -- towns, businesses, the air force, the army, police, NGOs... Should you ask the obvious question -- does this bring peace to the region? -- my answer is a resounding YES ... if not all at once, then certainly a little bit at a time. Every time space is opened, peace breaks out -- even under the most trying circumstances. After the training program, which was conducted near Jerusalem, Tova, Avner and I journeyed south to Tel Aviv to meet with a most remarkable group -- The Refusnics. These are serving Israeli officers and enlisted personnel who have refused to serve in The Occupied Territories. They are more than willing to defend Israel from external enemies, but draw the line at being an army of occupation. This movement started just a year ago, when 50 folks signed a letter to the new papers proclaiming their intentions. As of this moment, more than 500 have seen fit to join the original signers. Their time has not been an easy one, as many have spent considerable periods in jail for their stand. Tova had offered to open space for them, for even though their number was growing some rough edges were appearing, and it seemed useful to take stock of present position and future possibilities. That plan was put on hold because of the elections which were being held, but doubtless the right time will appear. And then it was on to Estonia, where Mikk Sarv and his wonderful wife, Marju gathered a terrific group of fellow citizens from business, NGOs, and university students. Also included were a small band of First nation people from Russia. It seems that Mikk had provided some Open Space for them several months before as they considered their roles and their futures in Russia. I wish I could have been there. It all happened in the forest with teepees as breakout rooms. After almost three weeks on the road (in the air -- whatever) I made it back home on Monday. Passing through Customs, I found myself answering the usual question about the nature of my business in a rather odd way. The agent queried, What is your business? To which I answered, "Peace." He said, "Peace of land?" I said, "No. Peace between my brothers and sisters." "Who are you with? -- he continued. "Me." I said -- knowing that if I ever told the truth about the incredible band of wonderful people all over the world, he would surely lock me up. He walked away, shaking his head. I probably shouldn't have done it -- but it surely felt good at the time. Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, MD 20854 USA phone 301-365-2093 Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html
