From the emaillist, March 2015:
Last week I wrote a blog post about holding space that generated a lot of interest (enough to crash my website). It seems there are a lot of people in the world who are hungry to know how to hold space for others and for space to be held for them (which is also evident in the way the Art of Hosting community is growing). Here's the link to the article: http://heatherplett.com/2015/03/hold-space/
Heather,
I have enjoyed reading both blog posts. I can't help with the origin of 'holding space' but it really works. Your words nail it. I work with foster carers often note that they 'hold space' for the young people in their care. I speak about holding space for the young people and young people in care. Your words will help me explain what I mean to those who do not quite 'get it'.
Thank you
Paul Smart
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There was also an exchange on the OSLIST about the origins of the term "holding space" Psychologists such as Winnicott wrote about parenting and child development using terms like creating a "holding environment" and there was one later researcher who used the term "open space" as the safe environment that a mothering figure creates for an infant to move around, explore, and develop.
Ria Baeck
Mar 22, 2015