Open Space

Early in my consulting days, I was anxious to gain all the credentials I could to make myself more attractive to clients. One of the most significant programs I took was called Open Space Technology (OST), a technique developed by Harrison Owen. After organizing thousands of conferences for clients, Harrison began to notice that the best conversations and the most significant connections were made during coffee breaks and lunches. He began to wonder how he could create a conference that was, in essence, on great big break where the conversations that needed to happen had space to occur. Hence he developed Open Space, essentially a space for participants to come and to express the topics they believe needed to be discussed. It is a system which gives voice to the people attending.

At a deeper level, and as I discovered during my OST training, open space is also about opening space within ourselves, allowing the conversation we need and want with self to occur. I still remember the moment I realized that this was what Open Space really meant – it was one of those great AHA moments. And as I realized this I also recognized just how much of my inner space was clogged and cluttered with the many responsibilities I had assumed and the multiple doings I was engaged at. In fact it was hard to find space to actually open.

The idea of open space came up over coffee and muffins yesterday morning as a group began their second ME FIRST day. I was sharing the idea with them and as a result the conversation continued well into the morning. Instead of following the preestablished agenda, I simply opened space and allowed the conversation to go where the participants took it. interestingly the agenda was addressed just the same, albeit in a different order and fashion than I had believed it would unfold. Isn’t that just perfect! Set the intention, pay attention and be in no tension, and everything follows.

The important thing I have noticed about open space, as it applies to you and me, is that it is an exchange of energy, releasing what no longer serves us (should’s, have to’s, must do’s and limiting beliefs) and replacing this with all that is in our greatest good (wants, desires and intentions). Understanding this exchange is vital, for if we clear space without understanding what we want to replace it with, the space will fill with anything and this anything  may not be in our highest good, it may simply be a back wash of what we have released.

Open space is also the space we create through ME FIRST – identifying time dedicated to re-acquainting ourselves with who we are now and who we want to become. This work simply can’t happen unless we take the time for it. And the good news is, it doesn’t require a lot of time, just moments or minutes of being, quiet, breathing, emptying, looking within. It is all perfect!

Until next time…

Betty