Storing Objects of Attention
Beginner
Skill Level:
Capture objects of attention as they arise in various forms – even if incomplete or nonsensical – storing them for later reflection and then returning to the mindscape as it changes on its own in order to receive additional objects. Repeat this process to collect, compare, and reflect on numerous objects of mind.
This technique is all about helping your participants let go of a striving or controlling mindset. Following the Shifting and Expanding phases, the Receiving phase continues to maintain a non-egoic and non-intellectual mode of attention. The difference is that as insights "pop into'" participant's minds, they are guided in receiving these objects of attention, storing them for later reflection, and then coming back to the same receptive state of awareness.
As you think of unique ways to apply this technique to a new OD solution, you must remember that the main goal of the Receiving phase is to help participants accept and store insights as they arise (for later reflection), and continuing to sustain a non-conceptual mode of attention that monitors and stores objects that arise in awareness. Participants may be so excited by their insights that they get "sucked into" reflecting upon them. This is common. So the facilitator must periodically remind participants to remain non-attached to even the best ideas. They will indeed remember these insights when they move into the next phase!
Dirkx, J. M. (2007). Making sense of multiplicity: Metaphors of self and selfchange in transformation theory. 7th International Transformative Learning Conference. Transformative Learning:
Issues of different interest and diversity. University of New Mexico. October 24–27.
