OS for People living with Aids

2006-09-10 Thread Catherine Pfaehler 
Dear Ralph, I love your story about participants passing on the essentials
to late-comers in 10 seconds. It has a very relaxing effect on me… :-)

 

I’m about to open space for Swiss People living with AIDS (Oct. 20 – 22),
and very much looking forward to this week-end. A great preparation group
profits of our experience in April (OS entitled „Healthily and happily
gay“). We will be at the same gorgeous place above Lake Neuchâtel, hosted by
a very dedicated crew in the YMCA-Center of Vaumarcus. The sponsor is again
the Swiss Federal Office for Public Health, section AIDS. More on
www.hivpositive.ch   (in German and French).

 

Have any of you worked with People living with AIDS and can give me advice
on things that might be of importance and that we might not think of
automatically?

 

Love, Catherine

 

Catherine Pfaehler Senn

Open Space Begleitung & Coaching

Kellersriedweg 8

CH - 2503 Biel

+41-(0)32 - 365 68 41

c.pfaeh...@bluewin.ch

www.open-space-konferenz.ch

 

  _  

Von: Ralph Copleman [mailto:rcople...@comcast.net] 
Gesendet: Dienstag, 5. September 2006 15:30
Betreff: Re: OSLIST Digest - 4 Sep 2006 (#2006-233)

 

On 9/5/06 2:00 AM, "OSLIST automatic digest system"
 wrote:

My real fear is that all the students won't get it. I desperately want to
let go and let it happen, and I'm worried about what will happen when I do. 


Joanna, other newbies, virgins, and anyone else...

How easy is it for students (or anyone else) to “get” open space?

On occasions, when someone has arrived late for an OS meeting I’m
facilitating, I’ve often seen the following.  The person in question wants
to get into the stream of things, so s/he usually seeks out someone s/he
knows.  Then follows an extremely brief exchange that usually includes a
little pointing toward the relevant wall, a nod or two, and the two move off
in different directions, with the latecomer heading toward that wall.

I have taken all that time to provide as efficient and brief an opening as I
know how, and then I see the whole thing delivered in about ten seconds to a
complete newcomer.

People get it, I think in part, because to participate in open space,
there’s fundamentally nothing new they have to learn.  They join some
conversations, listen, speak from time to time, move around, eat something,
etc.  If we insist people “get it” on some deeper level that’s unnecessary
for them to give what they came to contribute or learn what they came to
learn, then we may be stressing ourselves uselessly.

If less is more for us, it needs to be so, in our minds, for participants as
well.

So not only will they get it, Joanna, they already do!

Ralph Copleman 

* * ==
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

*
*
==
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

Re: OS for People living with Aids

2006-09-10 Thread Lisa Heft 
Hi, Fabulous Ms. Catherine --

You wrote:
>   Have any of you worked with People living with AIDS and can give me
> advice on things that might be of importance and that we might not think
> of automatically?

I just saw Harrison and he let me know about your question (and you *know*
how much I would like to be at this upcoming Open Space with you...and you
also know I will be there in spirit...).

I am thinking that others in our community here on OSLIST can add some
thoughts - others who have worked with people who sometimes have health
issues, sometimes feel great, sometimes feel not-so-good.  The basics of
the method of course are the same as always.  And the things I mention
below are things I do for every group.  However...

You might keep in mind that a lot of people in your room may be on
medications that may make them feel hot, or tired, or uncomfortable.  I do
this in any Open Space, because there is always so much talking and
movement, but even more than other times: be sure to have a lot of water
available in the room to help people stay hydrated.  I always tell the
host to order twice as much water as they would normally do for a meeting,
as people will drink more.

When I talk about bumblebees and butterflies often I say that it is really
about taking good care of yourself (and doing your best work because you
are taking good care of yourself) - so when you use the Law of Two Feet
for example it could be because you realize you are neither learning nor
contributing -- it could also be because you need something to eat in
order to stay present and focused, you need to take your medication,
whatever: take good care of yourself.

I also recommend that the host offers healthy foods with choices (because
some people can and cannot eat certain things - in any situations, but
particularly while on some medications).

See?  I looked at this little list and I see in it the things that are
universal for any group I convene -- it is not specific to people with HIV
and AIDS.  In every single circle we convene, there are people sitting
with us who are not feeling well, or are on medication, who are having a
struggle, who are brave, who are fighting a battle, who are trusting in
the unknown, or resisting some change, or embracing what is, or who are
living each moment with great presence...we never know.  There are so many
stories in each person in any circle.  So my idea (in Open Space and in
life) is to take good care of everyone (and myself, and each other), at
all times.

Another thought: There is a three-pronged approach to treatment for
HIV/AIDS: 1) anti-viral [drug combinations that make it hard for the virus
to connect to our healthy cells, hard to insert its viral code into the
healthy cell, and hard to make copies of itself once it has invaded a
healthy cell]; 2) anti-opportunistic infections [medications that are
given to someone when her/his t-cells are low -- to lessen the effects of
the illnesses that can harm someone with a damaged immune system]; and 3)
immune enhancement -- things [herbs, drugs, excercise, nutrition,
mind-body-spirit work, acupuncture, body work and so on] that help your
body do its very best in staying healthy, staying resilient and flexible,
handling illness, and taking good care of itself.

Here's the parallel I see: Open Space is like HIV treatment for the body /
organism / organization / community: using Open Space regularly 1) makes
it hard for toxic things to affect our emotional, physical, organizational
and community wellness; 2) lessens the effect of challenging external or
internal situations that can negatively affect our organization /
community; and 3) helps our body / organization / community stay flexible,
resilient, adaptable and doing its very best in taking good care of
itself.

I look forward to hearing what others may add as far as tips for working
with people with life-challenging health issues.  You will do such a
beautiful job, Catherine -- because you will simply open the space and
then ... breathe.

Do let us all know how it goes,

Lisa

lisah...@openingspace.net

*
*
==
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

Re: OS for People living with Aids

2006-09-10 Thread Harrison Owen 
Re: OSLIST Digest - 4 Sep 2006 (#2006-233)The resident expert is Lisa Heft -- 
who has done all sorts of things with folks with AIDS. She will be with us here 
in Maine for OSONOS, I believe, so may not see this posting, but I will bring 
it to her attention.

Harrison


Harrison Owen
7808 River Falls Dr.
Potomac, MD  20854
USA
301-365-2093
207-763-3261 (summer)
website www.openspaceworld.com
Personal Website www.ho-image.com

  - Original Message - 
  From: Catherine Pfaehler 
  To: osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu 
  Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2006 5:58 PM
  Subject: OS for People living with Aids


  Dear Ralph, I love your story about participants passing on the essentials to 
late-comers in 10 seconds. It has a very relaxing effect on me. J

   

  I'm about to open space for Swiss People living with AIDS (Oct. 20 - 22), and 
very much looking forward to this week-end. A great preparation group profits 
of our experience in April (OS entitled "Healthily and happily gay"). We will 
be at the same gorgeous place above Lake Neuchâtel, hosted by a very dedicated 
crew in the YMCA-Center of Vaumarcus. The sponsor is again the Swiss Federal 
Office for Public Health, section AIDS. More on www.hivpositive.ch (in German 
and French).

   

  Have any of you worked with People living with AIDS and can give me advice on 
things that might be of importance and that we might not think of automatically?

   

  Love, Catherine

   

  Catherine Pfaehler Senn

  Open Space Begleitung & Coaching

  Kellersriedweg 8

  CH - 2503 Biel

  +41-(0)32 - 365 68 41

  c.pfaeh...@bluewin.ch

  www.open-space-konferenz.ch

   


--

  Von: Ralph Copleman [mailto:rcople...@comcast.net] 
  Gesendet: Dienstag, 5. September 2006 15:30
  Betreff: Re: OSLIST Digest - 4 Sep 2006 (#2006-233)

   

  On 9/5/06 2:00 AM, "OSLIST automatic digest system" 
 wrote:

  My real fear is that all the students won't get it. I desperately want to
  let go and let it happen, and I'm worried about what will happen when I do. 


  Joanna, other newbies, virgins, and anyone else...

  How easy is it for students (or anyone else) to "get" open space?

  On occasions, when someone has arrived late for an OS meeting I'm 
facilitating, I've often seen the following.  The person in question wants to 
get into the stream of things, so s/he usually seeks out someone s/he knows.  
Then follows an extremely brief exchange that usually includes a little 
pointing toward the relevant wall, a nod or two, and the two move off in 
different directions, with the latecomer heading toward that wall.

  I have taken all that time to provide as efficient and brief an opening as I 
know how, and then I see the whole thing delivered in about ten seconds to a 
complete newcomer.

  People get it, I think in part, because to participate in open space, there's 
fundamentally nothing new they have to learn.  They join some conversations, 
listen, speak from time to time, move around, eat something, etc.  If we insist 
people "get it" on some deeper level that's unnecessary for them to give what 
they came to contribute or learn what they came to learn, then we may be 
stressing ourselves uselessly.

  If less is more for us, it needs to be so, in our minds, for participants as 
well.

  So not only will they get it, Joanna, they already do!

  Ralph Copleman 

  * * == 
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 * * 
== 
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

*
*
==
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