Clean Space
November 17th 2008
Welcome to Dawn, Lyn and Phil who joined us for the first time last night. We started by having everyone remind the group of their metaphor for 'the kind of group I want to belong to' and then newcomers (and some who we seem to have missed) added their ideas to our metaphor map. These included: a needle for a monthly fix; a person sitting on a cotton wool chair; a man with space around him; and a key. The map is getting a bit full and complex now, so perhaps in one of our sessions next year we can start with the question: And all of that's like what? and find a metaphor to transcend and include all the symbols and metaphors that have emerged so far.
After this introduction, which also helped Phil to get to know everyone a bit, Phil spoke briefly about David Grove and how he came up with his ideas for Clean Language, then Clean Space and then Clean Language. He said a few words about the Clean Space process - and as with all Clean processes, having an experience or watching someone else have an experience is by far the best way of gaining some understanding of what it's all about. So Phil used Clean Space to work with Jenny for about half an hour while we all watched, fascinated.
After the break, Phil led an excellent question-and-answer session, which included: the start and end of the process; how he chose which aspects of Jenny's experience to 'go for'; and how he uses Clean Space in conjunction with Clean Language.
Towards the end of the meeting, members shared some of their "Clean" experiences:
- In September, Keith ran a training session on Listening with the Samaritans at their annual conference in York, which featured Clean Language and which went really well
- Since attending More to Explore recently, Lisa has extended her use of Clean Language and has conducted three whole client sessions cleanly
- Nigel told us how he sometimes suggests that clients build their metaphor landscapes out of Lego
Finally, Marian gave everyone the dates for next year's meetings, as well as unveiling the Apricot Island training schedule for next year, which includes a 2-day Clean Space training in March and November.
Our next meeting is on Monday December 15th, hope to see you then.
Marian Way
Reader Comments (3)
So yesterday I was keen to experience clean space from the receiving end - I've always found exercises that move you around to be powerful. And of course there always seems to be some 'stuff' that can benefit from a bit of a tweak. I wasn't at all disappointed as my 'clean space landscape' quickly became psycho-active under Phil's expertly minimal guidance.
As ever, the questions which can seem illogical when taken out of context, make perfect sense when you are focusing on an issue which you care about. And it is tremendously valuing to have someone pay exquisite attention to what you say and how you say it. Thanks Phil!
I'll report back next time on the difference the session has made!
Now I'd better pay attention to see if I notice any changes to report back to the group.
Just off now to make her tea or there'll be trouble later!
The questions are simple and elegant but like most things, the skill in Phil's facilitation will not be easy to replicate without practice. If anybody fancies a clean space swap session outside the group, drop me an email gmeikle@inter-activ.co.uk