Processes connected with OS
Convenor: Henri Lipmanowicz
Participants: Malay Biswas; Bayyinah Bello; Chris Low; Anne Pattillo; Carla Vliex: Gillian Rivers; Viv McWaters?
Discussion:
The following processes were identified as compatible with OS, processes that could be used to complement or support an OS session.
In contrast, processes that are highly structured and controlled are not compatible with OS particularly after the space has been opened.
The conversation on connected processes was cut short by a strong intervention on bad experiences with OS, experiences that led to some participants becoming “victims”, to be traumatized. Questions were raised about the ethics of using OS in certain circumstances and about who takes responsibility for taking care of the “victims”.
As convenor of the session I tried my best to help make progress in making sense of what had happened in those OS meetings that went wrong. Some others did as well. I, for one, struggled trying to figure out what was the constructive thing for me to do in the face of such a strong display of emotions and anger. Stories were traded but, frankly, we never got anywhere near closure and/or clarity. This leaves me with a clear feeling that there is important “unfinished business” that has to be attended to in order to satisfy the needs of those who raised questions that clearly were of major importance to them.
As much as I can tell the key questions raised were:
Those questions need to be more clearly articulated by those that raised them and a new space needs to be open.
It would be tempting to say that whatever happened was the only thing that could happen but I will feel a lot better when I know that those who have raised those questions get the opportunity to make sense of the potential answers. It may not be possible to do this before the end of this meeting and so, I hope some other way will be found. Needed to contribute are those