Topic Name: Enjoy Chinese Tea: Community, Culture and Open Space
Topic Number: 1C
Convener: Laura
Participants: Yung Hsin, Tim, Isac, Lisa, Alan, ET, Tara, Jochen, Larry, Zhi-Wei, Eva…
Insights:
l Laura shared about her tea night conversation with friends’ friends in Beijing which prompted her to buy tea set.
l Alan: Phelim McDermott uses OS as theatre director.
l Alan: passion in the potential of culture practices like tea relative to community building and dialogue. Opening Space in public places.
l Take a moment not rushing. Slow down the pace and feel relaxed.
l Tim: people in the south gather for no reason. Every family has tea set.
l Isac: in Japan tea is very important. It’s art too formal. Chinese way more casual.
l In southern Taiwan, not religious more casual. People gather around under the tree and talk about everyday life
l Question for Isac: what is the relationship between OS and psychology practice? Psychologist view: relationship with OS? American way, competitive lifestyle people feel lonely, first reason for suicide. French telecom 35 people committed suicide after the company is privatized.
l In Japan if you don’t go the right school or company you are on the outside of the society never able to get in. Many issues you can not talk to you family members or husband.
l Regarding OS principle: “You are the right people” many people hear it for the first time. Incredible affirmation.
l Session in New York, there was only 7 people. Everyone has a pattern either from pre-natal or from process of growing up that s/he wants to transform from. Facilitator asked if you are ready right then, whether it was your time, and everyone talked about there to come out with when is the term for which person. People responded that they just know from inside whether it was the right time or not.
l So it was very powerful that “when” is the right time is not decided simply by an outside process, but taking care of the feeling inside of the participants.
l DISCOVERY FROM INSIDE – important; insightful.
l Loneliness in the family: lots of pressure from the family expectation, I need to be someone to fulfill family members’ dreams or expectations, so yes, I feel lonely in my family. But maybe it is not just pressure; it is also a fear of rejection.
l Open Space – not just a process, but integrated into a way of being in life. When it’s over, it is over – it’s very affirming. You take them(the words/principles of OS) deeply into your life; these principles are not just words, you do not just know them; you feel them; you practice them; you are them.
l I never judge them with my boys; for example their home works in school, I never asked them “have you done your home work?”
l Being a parent is a fine balance all the time. You keep your children out of danger and meanwhile, you listen to them. What do they have to say. The question of when & how to let go.
l Relationship with family members – to what extend can you talk to them. Parents are quite open to know what I do in facilitation and make an effort to understand, that means a lot to me.
l From another group’s discussion: Open Space as a school; develop a leader with OS spirit.
l Tea ceremony as a gathering way to slow down, invite people to chat, and build community casually. A form of success.
l Different tea drinking in different cultures: Japan – traditional and strict ways to follow; you admire the beauty of utensils; British and Autralian – Mom serving tea with sugar; milk; Chinese – casual, chatting, making friends.
l A good book: “Three cups of Tea”
