Empathy List Archives

FO

Funda Oral

Mon, Apr 7, 2025 7:50 AM

Dear Colleagues,

I had a chance to watch and participate in a performance in Berlin a few
days ago. The first 30 minutes I wanted to leave but then I realized how
this was similar to what we experience at events run with Open Space
Technology.

https://www.rimini-protokoll.de/website/en/project/spiegelneuronen
https://www.rimini-protokoll.de/website/en/project/spiegelneuronen

Open Space Technology — A Systemic Experience of Direct Democracy

In Open Space, roles are not fixed, but the space is open to all.
Participation isn’t a requirement — it’s an invitation. You’re not forced
to step forward, yet every contribution matters.

The facilitator doesn’t direct. In fact, they remain almost invisible. They
are not there to manage content, but to make space — to sense the potential
in the room and allow it to surface. Their presence is felt, but never
forceful.

This may not be a “stage” in the traditional sense. Bodies are present.
Intentions are active. Attention is shared. What emerges is not a rehearsed
act but a co-created moment. Everyone is somewhat an observer and
somewhat a performer and facilitator and space holder and participant.
Authority gives way to flow.
Being Together, Performing TogetherYou’re not just watching something;
you’re in it. You exist with others, and in doing so, you co-perform. You
are being seen even as you watch. Your eyes face forward, but something in
you is also being witnessed.

This is perhaps what Rimini Protokoll’s Mirror Neurons is truly about:
when one body moves, others resonate. Performance isn’t limited to the
actor; it extends to those perceiving. What is seen is felt. What is
external becomes internal.

The stage is no longer a one-way delivery. It’s a shared field. You change
while watching, and the one being watched changes because of you. No one
remains still. It is a system — dynamic, open, connected and alive.
Leaving as a Community

By the end of Performance, the 500 people in the audience no longer feel
like a collection of strangers. They leave not just as spectators, but as
part of a fleeting, yet real, community. A community that breathed in sync,
that followed the same invisible cues, that recognized fragments of itself
in others.

They don’t leave the stage behind — the stage now lives inside them (us).
In the echoes left in their bodies. In the memory of a shared breath, a
silent smile, an unexpected shift in attention. Watching becomes an act.
Feeling becomes a form of connection.

And somehow, this transforms anonymous watching into collective belonging.
The Stage Is Everywhere

Perhaps the stage no longer needs to be built. It emerges in the space
between people. In eye contact. In collective silence. In the moment when
someone speaks and others are truly listening.

In both Open Space and Mirror Neurons, what unfolds is more than
decision-making or storytelling. It is the possibility of thinking (acting)
together, feeling together, even shifting direction together.

And maybe most crucially: when one speaks (moves), others don’t just
listen. They reflect, they resonate, they complete. This, in its purest
form, is *direct democracy *— not as a system of votes, but as a network
of felt presence.

Facilitator, artist, observer, participant… the roles blur. We stop asking *who
we are *and start noticing what we’re becoming — together.

The stage is no longer over there. We are part of the stage, * connected*
with artists (facilitators) and other 500 spectators (whoever they are)

Have a great week,

Funda Oral Toussaint

      from Berlin and Istanbul

Dear Colleagues, I had a chance to watch and participate in a performance in Berlin a few days ago. The first 30 minutes I wanted to leave but then I realized how this was similar to what we experience at events run with Open Space Technology. *https://www.rimini-protokoll.de/website/en/project/spiegelneuronen <https://www.rimini-protokoll.de/website/en/project/spiegelneuronen>* *Open Space Technology — A Systemic Experience of Direct Democracy* In Open Space, roles are not fixed, but the space is open to all. Participation isn’t a requirement — it’s an invitation. You’re not forced to step forward, yet every contribution matters. The facilitator doesn’t direct. In fact, they remain almost invisible. They are not there to manage content, but to make space — to sense the potential in the room and allow it to surface. Their presence is felt, but never forceful. This may not be a “stage” in the traditional sense. Bodies are present. Intentions are active. Attention is shared. What emerges is not a rehearsed act *but a co-created moment.* Everyone is somewhat an observer and somewhat a performer and facilitator and space holder and participant. Authority gives way to flow. Being Together, Performing TogetherYou’re not just watching something; you’re *in* it. You exist with others, and in doing so, you co-perform. You are being seen even as you watch. Your eyes face forward, but something in you is also being witnessed. This is perhaps what Rimini Protokoll’s *Mirror Neurons* is truly about: when one body moves, others resonate. Performance isn’t limited to the actor; it extends to those perceiving. What is seen is felt. What is external becomes internal. The stage is no longer a one-way delivery. It’s a shared field. You change while watching, and the one being watched changes because of you. No one remains still. It is a system — dynamic, open, connected and alive. Leaving as a Community By the end of *Performance*, the 500 people in the audience no longer feel like a collection of strangers. They leave not just as spectators, but as part of a fleeting, yet real, community. A community that breathed in sync, that followed the same invisible cues, that recognized fragments of itself in others. They don’t leave the stage behind — the stage now lives inside them (us). In the echoes left in their bodies. In the memory of a shared breath, a silent smile, an unexpected shift in attention. Watching becomes an act. Feeling becomes a form of connection. And somehow, this transforms anonymous watching into collective belonging. The Stage Is Everywhere Perhaps the stage no longer needs to be built. It emerges in the space between people. In eye contact. In collective silence. In the moment when someone speaks and others are truly listening. In both Open Space and *Mirror Neurons*, what unfolds is more than decision-making or storytelling. It is the possibility of thinking (acting) together, feeling together, even shifting direction together. And maybe most crucially: when one speaks (moves), others don’t just listen. They reflect, they resonate, they complete. This, in its purest form, is *direct democracy *— not as a system of votes, but as *a network of felt presence.* Facilitator, artist, observer, participant… the roles blur. We stop asking *who we are *and start noticing *what we’re becoming — together.* The stage is no longer over there. We are part of the stage, * connected* with artists (facilitators) and other 500 spectators (whoever they are) Have a great week, Funda Oral Toussaint from Berlin and Istanbul

AC

Annick Corriveau

Tue, Apr 8, 2025 12:09 PM

Dear Funda,

Thank you for sharing about your experience.

While we were reflecting on arts, science and Open Space Technology, our
Grieving & Thriving group received the inspiration for a new definition
of OST.

Open Space Technology is a group performance
that brings the group into heart consciousness.
In that space, there is connection with all available resources
and the group is propelled into expansion
through the deployment of inspired actions.

How fun would it be to see this dance company travel in Quebec, Canada!

Much love,

Annick

Annick Corriveau

_Rassembler les êtres humains pour l'épanouissement des groupes et des
idées_

Gathering human beings for thrivability

Tél: 438 868-7349

ouvrirlespace.ca [1]

Le 2025-04-07 03:50, Funda Oral via OSList a écrit :

Dear Colleagues,

I had a chance to watch and participate in a performance in Berlin a few days ago. The first 30 minutes I wanted to leave but then I realized how this was similar to what we experience at events run with Open Space Technology.

https://www.rimini-protokoll.de/website/en/project/spiegelneuronen

OPEN SPACE TECHNOLOGY — A SYSTEMIC EXPERIENCE OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY

In Open Space, roles are not fixed, but the space is open to all. Participation isn't a requirement -- it's an invitation. You're not forced to step forward, yet every contribution matters.

The facilitator doesn't direct. In fact, they remain almost invisible. They are not there to manage content, but to make space -- to sense the potential in the room and allow it to surface. Their presence is felt, but never forceful.

This may not be a "stage" in the traditional sense. Bodies are present. Intentions are active. Attention is shared. What emerges is not a rehearsed act BUT A CO-CREATED MOMENT. Everyone is somewhat an observer and somewhat a performer and facilitator and space holder and participant. Authority gives way to flow.

BEING TOGETHER, PERFORMING TOGETHER

YOU'RE NOT JUST WATCHING SOMETHING; YOU'RE IN IT. YOU EXIST WITH OTHERS, AND IN DOING SO, YOU CO-PERFORM. YOU ARE BEING SEEN EVEN AS YOU WATCH. YOUR EYES FACE FORWARD, BUT SOMETHING IN YOU IS ALSO BEING WITNESSED.

This is perhaps what Rimini Protokoll's MIRROR NEURONS is truly about: when one body moves, others resonate. Performance isn't limited to the actor; it extends to those perceiving. What is seen is felt. What is external becomes internal.

The stage is no longer a one-way delivery. It's a shared field. You change while watching, and the one being watched changes because of you. No one remains still. It is a system -- dynamic, open, connected and alive.

LEAVING AS A COMMUNITY

By the end of Performance, the 500 people in the audience no longer feel like a collection of strangers. They leave not just as spectators, but as part of a fleeting, yet real, community. A community that breathed in sync, that followed the same invisible cues, that recognized fragments of itself in others.

They don't leave the stage behind -- the stage now lives inside them (us). In the echoes left in their bodies. In the memory of a shared breath, a silent smile, an unexpected shift in attention. Watching becomes an act. Feeling becomes a form of connection.

And somehow, this transforms anonymous watching into collective belonging.

THE STAGE IS EVERYWHERE

Perhaps the stage no longer needs to be built. It emerges in the space between people. In eye contact. In collective silence. In the moment when someone speaks and others are truly listening.

In both Open Space and Mirror Neurons, what unfolds is more than decision-making or storytelling. It is the possibility of thinking (acting) together, feeling together, even shifting direction together.

And maybe most crucially: when one speaks (moves), others don't just listen. They reflect, they resonate, they complete. This, in its purest form, is DIRECT DEMOCRACY -- not as a system of votes, but as A NETWORK OF FELT PRESENCE.

Facilitator, artist, observer, participant... the roles blur. We stop asking WHO WE ARE and start noticing WHAT WE'RE BECOMING — TOGETHER.

The stage is no longer over there. We are part of the stage, CONNECTED with artists (facilitators) and other 500 spectators (whoever they are)

Have a great week,

Funda Oral Toussaint from Berlin and Istanbul

OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org
To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org
See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org

Links:

[1] https://annickcorriveau.com/

Dear Funda, Thank you for sharing about your experience. While we were reflecting on arts, science and Open Space Technology, our Grieving & Thriving group received the inspiration for a new definition of OST. _Open Space Technology is a group performance_ _that brings the group into heart consciousness._ _In that space, there is connection with all available resources_ _and the group is propelled into expansion_ _through the deployment of inspired actions._ How fun would it be to see this dance company travel in Quebec, Canada! Much love, Annick --- Annick Corriveau *_Rassembler les êtres humains pour l'épanouissement des groupes et des idées*_ _*Gathering human beings for thrivability*_ Tél: 438 868-7349 ouvrirlespace.ca [1] Le 2025-04-07 03:50, Funda Oral via OSList a écrit : > Dear Colleagues, > > I had a chance to watch and participate in a performance in Berlin a few days ago. The first 30 minutes I wanted to leave but then I realized how this was similar to what we experience at events run with Open Space Technology. > > https://www.rimini-protokoll.de/website/en/project/spiegelneuronen > > OPEN SPACE TECHNOLOGY — A SYSTEMIC EXPERIENCE OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY > > In Open Space, roles are not fixed, but the space is open to all. Participation isn't a requirement -- it's an invitation. You're not forced to step forward, yet every contribution matters. > > The facilitator doesn't direct. In fact, they remain almost invisible. They are not there to manage content, but to make space -- to sense the potential in the room and allow it to surface. Their presence is felt, but never forceful. > > This may not be a "stage" in the traditional sense. Bodies are present. Intentions are active. Attention is shared. What emerges is not a rehearsed act BUT A CO-CREATED MOMENT. Everyone is somewhat an observer and somewhat a performer and facilitator and space holder and participant. Authority gives way to flow. > > BEING TOGETHER, PERFORMING TOGETHER > > YOU'RE NOT JUST WATCHING SOMETHING; YOU'RE _IN_ IT. YOU EXIST WITH OTHERS, AND IN DOING SO, YOU CO-PERFORM. YOU ARE BEING SEEN EVEN AS YOU WATCH. YOUR EYES FACE FORWARD, BUT SOMETHING IN YOU IS ALSO BEING WITNESSED. > > This is perhaps what Rimini Protokoll's _MIRROR NEURONS_ is truly about: when one body moves, others resonate. Performance isn't limited to the actor; it extends to those perceiving. What is seen is felt. What is external becomes internal. > > The stage is no longer a one-way delivery. It's a shared field. You change while watching, and the one being watched changes because of you. No one remains still. It is a system -- dynamic, open, connected and alive. > > LEAVING AS A COMMUNITY > > By the end of _Performance_, the 500 people in the audience no longer feel like a collection of strangers. They leave not just as spectators, but as part of a fleeting, yet real, community. A community that breathed in sync, that followed the same invisible cues, that recognized fragments of itself in others. > > They don't leave the stage behind -- the stage now lives inside them (us). In the echoes left in their bodies. In the memory of a shared breath, a silent smile, an unexpected shift in attention. Watching becomes an act. Feeling becomes a form of connection. > > And somehow, this transforms anonymous watching into collective belonging. > > THE STAGE IS EVERYWHERE > > Perhaps the stage no longer needs to be built. It emerges in the space between people. In eye contact. In collective silence. In the moment when someone speaks and others are truly listening. > > In both Open Space and _Mirror Neurons_, what unfolds is more than decision-making or storytelling. It is the possibility of thinking (acting) together, feeling together, even shifting direction together. > > And maybe most crucially: when one speaks (moves), others don't just listen. They reflect, they resonate, they complete. This, in its purest form, is DIRECT DEMOCRACY -- not as a system of votes, but as A NETWORK OF FELT PRESENCE. > > Facilitator, artist, observer, participant... the roles blur. We stop asking WHO WE ARE and start noticing WHAT WE'RE BECOMING — _TOGETHER_. > > The stage is no longer over there. We are part of the stage, CONNECTED with artists (facilitators) and other 500 spectators (whoever they are) > > Have a great week, > > Funda Oral Toussaint from Berlin and Istanbul > > OSList mailing list -- everyone@oslist.org > To unsubscribe send an email to everyone-leave@oslist.org > See the archives here: https://oslist.org/empathy/list/everyone.oslist.org Links: ------ [1] https://annickcorriveau.com/

RI

Roma Iskander

Wed, Apr 9, 2025 10:46 AM

Love this post Fundal. It reminded me of a theatre experience we went to see last week , the award winning play TotoRo, in London . Phelim McDermott works with Open Space to develop these wonderful productions that Improbable theatre put in. Many of you will know Phelim, artistic director at Improbable .
Roma IskanderPublic Service Works Network Mobile 07956635802

www.publicserviceworks.com

On 7 Apr 2025, at 08:51, Funda Oral via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> wrote:

In both Open Space and Mirror Neurons, what unfolds is more than decision-making or storytelling. It is the possibility of thinking (acting) together, feeling together, even shifting direction together.

And maybe most crucially: when one speaks (moves), others don’t just listen. They reflect, they resonate, they complete. This, in its purest form, is direct democracy — not as a system of votes, but as a network of felt presence.

FO

Funda Oral

Fri, Apr 11, 2025 9:26 AM

Dear Annick, thanks for sharing, i like your new definition of OST,
especially the concept of* ''inspired''* actions.

Dear Roma, of course I know of Phelim and Improbable Theatre. I have the
pleasure to have met Varshini Pitchemuthu from Improbable at WOSonOS in
Berlin and in Istanbul. Their use of OST and videos are one of my favorite
guides in this area. Unfortunately I have
not yet had a chance to see TotoRo.

Hugs
Funda

Le mer. 9 avr. 2025 à 12:47, Roma Iskander roma@publicserviceworks.com a
écrit :

Love this post Fundal. It reminded me of a theatre experience we went to
see last week , the award winning play TotoRo, in London . Phelim
McDermott works with Open Space to develop these wonderful productions that
Improbable theatre put in. Many of you will know Phelim, artistic director
at Improbable .

Roma Iskander
Public Service Works Network

Mobile 07956635802

www.publicserviceworks.com

[image: unknown.jpg]

On 7 Apr 2025, at 08:51, Funda Oral via OSList everyone@oslist.org
wrote:

In both Open Space and Mirror Neurons, what unfolds is more than
decision-making or storytelling. It is the possibility of thinking (acting)
together, feeling together, even shifting direction together.

And maybe most crucially: when one speaks (moves), others don’t just
listen. They reflect, they resonate, they complete. This, in its purest
form, is *direct democracy *— not as a system of votes, but as a network
of felt presence.

Dear Annick, thanks for sharing, i like your new definition of OST, especially the concept of* ''inspired''* actions. Dear Roma, of course I know of Phelim and Improbable Theatre. I have the pleasure to have met Varshini Pitchemuthu from Improbable at WOSonOS in Berlin and in Istanbul. Their use of OST and videos are one of my favorite guides in this area. Unfortunately I have not yet had a chance to see TotoRo. Hugs Funda Le mer. 9 avr. 2025 à 12:47, Roma Iskander <roma@publicserviceworks.com> a écrit : > Love this post Fundal. It reminded me of a theatre experience we went to > see last week , the award winning play TotoRo, in London . Phelim > McDermott works with Open Space to develop these wonderful productions that > Improbable theatre put in. Many of you will know Phelim, artistic director > at Improbable . > > Roma Iskander > Public Service Works Network > > Mobile 07956635802 > > www.publicserviceworks.com > > [image: unknown.jpg] > > > > > > > > > > On 7 Apr 2025, at 08:51, Funda Oral via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> > wrote: > > In both Open Space and *Mirror Neurons*, what unfolds is more than > decision-making or storytelling. It is the possibility of thinking (acting) > together, feeling together, even shifting direction together. > > And maybe most crucially: when one speaks (moves), others don’t just > listen. They reflect, they resonate, they complete. This, in its purest > form, is *direct democracy *— not as a system of votes, but as *a network > of felt presence.* > >

TH

Thomas Herrmann

Fri, Apr 11, 2025 10:02 AM

Hi Funda
Getting curious about what you write – their use of OST and videos / favorite guides…?
Wishing you all OSlisters a nice weekend!
Thomas Herrmann

Från: Funda Oral via OSList everyone@oslist.org
Skickat: den 11 april 2025 11:26
Till: Annick Corriveau info@annickcorriveau.com; Roma Iskander roma@publicserviceworks.com
Kopia: OS LIST everyone@oslist.org
Ämne: [OSList] Re: Mirror Neurons-Open Space Technology and Facilitation

Dear Annick, thanks for sharing, i like your new definition of OST, especially the concept of ''inspired'' actions.

Dear Roma, of course I know of Phelim and Improbable Theatre. I have the pleasure to have met Varshini Pitchemuthu from Improbable at WOSonOS in Berlin and in Istanbul. Their use of OST and videos are one of my favorite guides in this area. Unfortunately I have
not yet had a chance to see TotoRo.

Hugs
Funda

Le mer. 9 avr. 2025 à 12:47, Roma Iskander <roma@publicserviceworks.com mailto:roma@publicserviceworks.com> a écrit :
Love this post Fundal. It reminded me of a theatre experience we went to see last week , the award winning play TotoRo, in London . Phelim McDermott works with Open Space to develop these wonderful productions that Improbable theatre put in. Many of you will know Phelim, artistic director at Improbable .

Roma Iskander
Public Service Works Network
Mobile 07956635802

www.publicserviceworks.com http://www.publicserviceworks.com

On 7 Apr 2025, at 08:51, Funda Oral via OSList <everyone@oslist.org mailto:everyone@oslist.org> wrote:

In both Open Space and Mirror Neurons, what unfolds is more than decision-making or storytelling. It is the possibility of thinking (acting) together, feeling together, even shifting direction together.

And maybe most crucially: when one speaks (moves), others don’t just listen. They reflect, they resonate, they complete. This, in its purest form, is direct democracy — not as a system of votes, but as a network of felt presence.

Hi Funda Getting curious about what you write – their use of OST and videos / favorite guides…? Wishing you all OSlisters a nice weekend! Thomas Herrmann Från: Funda Oral via OSList <everyone@oslist.org> Skickat: den 11 april 2025 11:26 Till: Annick Corriveau <info@annickcorriveau.com>; Roma Iskander <roma@publicserviceworks.com> Kopia: OS LIST <everyone@oslist.org> Ämne: [OSList] Re: Mirror Neurons-Open Space Technology and Facilitation Dear Annick, thanks for sharing, i like your new definition of OST, especially the concept of ''inspired'' actions. Dear Roma, of course I know of Phelim and Improbable Theatre. I have the pleasure to have met Varshini Pitchemuthu from Improbable at WOSonOS in Berlin and in Istanbul. Their use of OST and videos are one of my favorite guides in this area. Unfortunately I have not yet had a chance to see TotoRo. Hugs Funda Le mer. 9 avr. 2025 à 12:47, Roma Iskander <roma@publicserviceworks.com<mailto:roma@publicserviceworks.com>> a écrit : Love this post Fundal. It reminded me of a theatre experience we went to see last week , the award winning play TotoRo, in London . Phelim McDermott works with Open Space to develop these wonderful productions that Improbable theatre put in. Many of you will know Phelim, artistic director at Improbable . Roma Iskander Public Service Works Network Mobile 07956635802 www.publicserviceworks.com<http://www.publicserviceworks.com> On 7 Apr 2025, at 08:51, Funda Oral via OSList <everyone@oslist.org<mailto:everyone@oslist.org>> wrote: In both Open Space and Mirror Neurons, what unfolds is more than decision-making or storytelling. It is the possibility of thinking (acting) together, feeling together, even shifting direction together. And maybe most crucially: when one speaks (moves), others don’t just listen. They reflect, they resonate, they complete. This, in its purest form, is direct democracy — not as a system of votes, but as a network of felt presence.