OPEN SPACE TECHNOLOGY - METHODOLOGY DO s and DON'T s

 OPEN SPACE TECHNOLOGY - RESOLUTIONS OF A FACILITATOR 

(1) I will be charging the container . 

(2) I will be holding the space 

(3) I will be opening the space 

(4) I will invite the spirit of learning in OST 

(5) I will await the magic to show itself up . 

(6) I will be present and yet , invisible to all of my participants. 

(7) I will be present to the Emergence 

(8) I will close the space with gratitude. 

(9) OST is a human process. 

Image credit : Tao of Holding space ( net search ) 

SLIDE 1 : OPENING THE SPACE , SIMPLICITY 

Open space is a simple yet elegant thing. Don't burden it with wit, Savvy and expertise . Simply walk to the centre of the circle, explain the process and get out of the way . 

This is ' opening the space ' . 

SLIDE 2 : HOLDING THE SPACE , WE DID IT  ! 

" Holding space " demands that you be the best kind of leader, without compromise . Trust the group, be totally present and be complete invisible. 

SLIDE 3 : FLEXIBLE MIND 

The only way " What ever happened is the only thing that could have happened " can be a principle that comes to life is - if you approach each open space with a flexible mind. You come like a guest to a group of people not knowing them, not seeking clarity . 

By remaining true to the process and open to the outcome, you begin to embody clarity . By remaining clam, you invite action . By remaining empty, you encourage fullness. 

SLIDE 4 : BE YOURSELF 

You stand in relation to nothing ! Model enthusiasm, revel in the joy of empty space and full potential. 

But don't model enthusiasm because people are timid . Don't revel in joy because people are frightened. Don't try to create conditions that aren't there. . 

You know what would happen here. Welcome it. Embrace it with everything that you are. You have been nourished by life. Standing in the middle of the circle, in utter silence , is the time to live. 

SLIDE 5 : IT'S ALL YOURS 

There's a moment , right after you have introduced the process, and you are opening up the space for the topics to be posted . In this moment, you must step out of the space and give it all over to your group . The space is empty of form, simply the imprint of your energy in the circle , markers and the paper awaiting the creative energy of the group . 

" It's all yours " . The group becomes the sculptor and the space becomes the uncarved block . 

SLIDE 6 : LET GO OF CONTROL  

This is the hardest part . Until you have held space, you have no  idea , of the extent to which the impulse to control the things is alive in you . It shows up in Open Space in sublest of ways ; wanting to order to the wall , wanting to turn up the heat , wanting to move chairs into circles. 

So, hear this deeply . You are not in control. Everything that you do for the group is - one less thing that they know they can do , for themselves ! So, your role is to hold this big space, full of compassion and acceptance that, what ever happens is the only thing that could have happened . 

Your body and soul will ache at times. Your volition to move in will become overpowering. Simply notice this impulse. Gift it to yourself and spare the group from your own private tortures ! 

SLIDE 7 : OPEN SPACE IS NOT MAGIC ! 

You have opened the space and the group is working within it . But you haven't opened the space. The sponsor has . And the sponsor hasn't opened the space, either ! It's always been there ! 

What you are seeing , can happen anytime ! It is something anyone can have ! It's right there , bounding every act of creation, every inspiration and every idea. 

Space is not yours and nothing that happens within it, belongs to it ! The magic is not Open Space. The magic is, loosening of chains and dissolving into what is ! 

SLIDE 8 : STAY FOCUSSED 

Your job is not to do the work of the group. Your job is not to involve in the small distractions of the day . Your job is not to feel anxious for all the people who are struggling with their learnings . 

Stay focussed on your job. Holding space . Remain at peace with the chaos, remain detached with the emerging swirl  of attachment . People will be shedding stories and assumptions all around you . Avoid catching them . 

SLIDE 9 : HELPING CREATION : 

How can you help everyone and serve no one ? Everyone in your group is uniquely capable of caring for their needs . 

Holding Space means attending to the container in which, all the creation is happening. 

All day, you are confronted with opportunities to learn about yourself , as you patch the holes and strengthen the walls of the container. You serve creation when you hold a space for it to work. You serve all the people when you fall away from their journeys and let them create their own foot prints . 

SLIDE 10 : WHY ARE WE PAYING YOU ? 

Sometimes, clients will come to you and ask you why you are being paid ? Simply smile and respond compassionately. 

 " When people willing and able to take responsibility for their own passion , management gets really easy . " 

SLIDE 11 : ATTAINING UNITY 

To facilitate Open space , you faciliate nothing ! To hold space, you hold nothing ! To make something from these efforts, you must create nothing . 

Attaining Unity means - brining the matter and spirit together . Bring passion and responsibility together . Bring time and space together . Bring presence and absence together . You are totally present an yet, completely invisible at the same time. 

SLIDE 12 : HINDING THE UNNAMED 

When you feel the need to do more, find a way to do less. When you think there is something else today look for another way to be silent. When you grasp at outcomes and desire results, open your hands and hold more. 

In Open Space, action arises out of stillness. The answers are contained in the question . The essence is hiding and you are inviting it into the room.