The recent discussion about what goes on in the opening, closing, and in between circles set me to thinking. I am totally convinced that there is no such thing as the (abstractly) "right" way to do it, but it does occur to me that certain considerations do apply, at least in my own practice.
I find it useful to recall what we are trying to do anyhow. For me, the whole point of an Open Space is to create the conditions under which the people involved (participants) can be the most fully and productively involved in their business, no matter how that business might be defined. Anything that contributes to that full, productive involvement should be made available, and anything that does not, probably shouldn't see the light of day, even if it seemed like a very nice thing to do. If it doesn't add, positively, don't do it. I guess that would be my first principle. Second Principle: Keep it simple. Life is complex enough without needlessly complexifying it. I suppose this shows up under my maxim, "Think of one more thing not to do." Every time we (particularly in the role of facilitator) do something, add something - we fill up space. Which means there is less space for the participants, at least as they may perceive it. But if "it" really seems like a good thing to do - Keep it simple. Takes less space that way. Third Principle: Go with the least intrusive. To me the point of Open Space and all the circles - is to allow the people to find their own way. A little guidance can help, but to the extent that guidance (activity, exercise) stands out starkly - it is almost inevitable that the people will concentrate more on the guidance than on their primary task. Forth Principle: Look for the appropriate. There is no right or wrong thing to be done in the several circles. But there are appropriate things. Appropriate to the people, their task, and the environment in which it is all taking place. So if somebody were to ask, should one meditate in the opening (middle, closing) circle, I would have to answer - it all depends. And how about saying OOOOOMM. . . - same thing. I have participated in opening circles with 1st Nation people (Native Americans) where we went on at great length with all sorts of prayers to the ancestors, and covered everything in a heavy (wonderful) cloud of sage smoke. The whole thing seemed as natural as the rising of the Sun. But would I suggest praying to the ancestors and smudging the room if the participants were all from a large, up-tight, western corporation? Probably not -- although I could be tempted. On another occasion, when I was working with a large US Church, the closing circle became a celebration of Holy Communion - otherwise known as The Mass. It was truly awesome when 500 folks who had worked hard together over several days ended their time together united in the most sacred ritual of their church. But to say the obvious - such a closing would lack appropriateness in the majority of situations. So anyhow - when it comes to activities in the Circles, particularly ones that I might initiate, I try to consider the following: If it doesn't add to the peoples' power, don't do it. Keep it simple Non-Intrusive Be Appropriate. Is this a magic formula? No - but it seems to work more often than not. Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, Maryland 20845 Phone 301-365-2093 Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com <http://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 Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
