Hi,
I would like to add something to Cafe, Open Space discussion. It has
stirred something in me around the Art of Hosting. That it is more
about the hosting of the space, than the either/ors of Cafe/Open Space.
I work with both Cafe, Open Space, Peerspirit Circle, Community Music,
Theatre of the Oppressed ... the bottom line is that these all are not
tools, but ways of being. They are experiments in how human beings can
be together in a way that nurtures their spirit and the blue planet we
live in. These processes work when they serve a deep and meaningful
intent for all those gathered. We are on the edge of design and
discovery here, of re-learning and new learning, the bow wave of the
boat. Experimenters in the profound practice of gathering around what
we care about and taking responsibility in terms of action.
It is not a question, for me, of which is better full-stop. It is a
question of what best meets people where they are at and invites the
next step into whole full living. Cafe works well in certain places,
participative theatre catches the spirit in another place, there are no
final answers, Open Space is not the solution, just one of many
emergent phenomena which are a manifestation of a shift/return in
spirit and practice.
These spaces are sacred in the world now. They are few and should not
be taken lightly. Each time a gathering is called it needs foreplay,
conversation, honing and shaping. We are challenged by life now to open
spaces through which the future can be born into the present. Cafe is
one of these conduits, should be honoured as such, and used when it is
the appropriate form to hold the storm.
How can we call, design and host spaces that allow humans to create
from their best and highest goodness?
be cool,
Tim
On Thursday, Mar 18, 2004, at 17:13 Europe/Amsterdam, chris macrae
wrote:
I enjoyed half a day with Amanda Bucklow yesterday who is keeping the
circle open on how do we explain or do other ‘pre-work’ for openspace
to the people who most need to permit it- this being one of 6 project
circles that emerged from the UK OSonOS in February
http://www.openspaceuk.com/projects/index.html
I am just jotting some notes which blend that conversation with the
one I have been trying to rehearse on Open Space as most undervalued
technology there is and wholly different from any other facilitation
café etc . Any comments: anything stand out? anything my own baggage?
I bet some of this is so obvious to all of you (apologies if its all
obvious!) chris macrae
DISCOVERING :INNOVATION, RENEWAL, PEOPLE CONNECTIONS
If we are going to resolve and sustain reconciliation of any of the
world’s biggest conflicts, open space will likely play a part in
communing’s immense but invisible way. Given that, most other
innovation challenges are childsplay for OS. 3R’s of Renewal:
-Restoring trust where illwill was systemised;
-Restoring spirit where many may have forgotten the experience.
-Restoring access to the sustainable connections so that the
community/network will be strong whatever the forces are out there
that will seek to disconnect the people again.
1 Know that there is a great energy force when people come around the
same deeply human context, the more so if their passions are
diametrically in conflict. Know the 3 C’s (Conflict, Change aka Chaos,
Confusion) as a way to see through the system’s barriers (Conflict
means there’s huge value here (let’s turn system of that from
destruction to construction); Change is always part of the root cause
of conflict and the longer this has compounded the more complex or
personally frightening the change field is likely to be. Usually the
top, if has insisted on ruling above all, will have compounded
conflicts however unknowingly so it is the first Confusion to caringly
get a peaceful timeout from –space from the top is one of the greatest
gifts a facilitator can host
2 Innovate through big conflict by taking ‘power over people’ wholly
away from the conversation so that there is a climate of high trust
with people seeing and respecting one another as people first and ,
and everyone flying through the Space’s equality of participation
freedoms, and all the self- and mutual confidences that multiplies
3 Provide a stage/circle/dance-space where people feel the spirit as
the very opposite of what they may experience in everyday
organisational work etc; leaving the question open why cant we open
more spaces every day in every way; could it be the secret of lifting
ourselves up from misery starts with something so naturally simple?
4 Establish during the days of the space enough deep connections and
seeds for conversations so that from the parting, the network, the
community will continue; make sure everyone leaves with full
documentation and permission access to find where all those seeds for
reconnecting with are whenever most needed
*
*
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