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TranceTara -> RE: Slaves with requirements... (1/23/2009 12:41:28 AM)
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After reading everyone's posts I decided to look up the definition of slave on the freedictionary. Here's what it says:
"n.
1. One bound in servitude as the property of a person or household.
2. One who is abjectly subservient to a specified person or influence: "I was still the slave of education and prejudice" Edward Gibbon.
3. One who works extremely hard.
4. A machine or component controlled by another machine or component.
intr.v. slaved, slav·ing, slaves
1. To work very hard or doggedly; toil.
2. To trade in or transport slaves.
[Middle English sclave, from Old French esclave, from Medieval Latin sclvus, from Sclvus, Slav (from the widespread enslavement of captured Slavs in the early Middle Ages); see Slav.]
Word History: The derivation of the word slave encapsulates a bit of European history and explains why the two words slaves and Slavs are so similar; they are, in fact, historically identical. The word slave first appears in English around 1290, spelled sclave. The spelling is based on Old French esclave from Medieval Latin sclavus, "Slav, slave," first recorded around 800. Sclavus comes from Byzantine Greek sklabos (pronounced sklävs) "Slav," which appears around 580. Sklavos approximates the Slavs' own name for themselves, the Slovnci, surviving in English Slovene and Slovenian. The spelling of English slave, closer to its original Slavic form, first appears in English in 1538. Slavs became slaves around the beginning of the ninth century when the Holy Roman Empire tried to stabilize a German-Slav frontier. By the 12th century stabilization had given way to wars of expansion and extermination that did not end until the Poles crushed the Teutonic Knights at Grunwald in 1410.·As far as the Slavs' own self-designation goes, its meaning is, understandably, better than "slave"; it comes from the Indo-European root *kleu-, whose basic meaning is "to hear" and occurs in many derivatives meaning "renown, fame." The Slavs are thus "the famous people." Slavic names ending in -slav incorporate the same word, such as Czech Bohu-slav, "God's fame," Russian Msti-slav, "vengeful fame," and Polish Stani-slaw, "famous for withstanding (enemies)."
As for what I think, I think you are entitled to your own definition. If that is what makes you happy and what keeps you and your slave(s) spreading peace, love and joy in the world, then by all means.
I once tried being a slave to a woman years ago. She felt as you did. I would be thrown to the ground, hit for no reason, called worthless, called a piece of trash, and well, I was miserable. I left that relationship and the world of BDSM thinking all involved were heartless sadists. It took my 12 years to think of coming back and that was through Pro Dommes for I did not trust any woman in private.
I have since met a variety of people and find that each has their own idea as to what a Master/Mistress is. Each has their own idea of what a submissive or slave is. Each has their own idea of how a M/s relationship should work and how D/s should work. That is what makes the world go round.
For me, I do not label myself. I used to say I had a slave heart, but now say I have a service oriented heart. I am in no way a doormat. I also love delving into other forms of consciousness and like to use my BDSM to transcend to other realms and states. I also like to use my BDSM as a means of Bodhichitta. That is just for me. And.. I have found a few others with a similar feeling. Unfortunately for me they are men. I tried it, but I am totally so in love with the female body, sensuality, smell and many other things. I can appreciate my men friends and love them, but my heart and service is for a woman. That is how I am wired.
In my profile I use the comparison of trees. One can also use birds, or other animals. I don't see a Redwood saying Oaks and Maples are not true trees. Then again, they don't have labels. That is something we, as humans, have invented so we can make sense of a 3rd dimensional relative world. But now the world of the quantum is showing how everything breaks down at the quantum level. Labels don't hold.
When I see dogs playing, they don't sit in judgment, "Hey, you are not a real dog because you're a chihuahua and I'm a Golden Retriever." Usually the Golden Retriever snuggles down real low to play with the little dog and tries not to hurt it. They rejoice in their beingness.
What I got from these posts was passion on everyone's part, and yes, some sarcastic humour. I have not read any of the OPs previous posts so I do not know what many of you were talking about in regards to his past.
I am a human being first and foremost. And yes, now that I think about it, there are times when I am a slave. That is 40 hours a week when I'm at work. I have to do what I am told. But at least I get paid for it. And man, I slave away those 40 hours and earn every penny. When I come home, sometimes I am so exhausted I can barely move. If I were to be punished for not being able to complete a chore after a really long hard day when I am about to pass out because I have had no extended time off for over 6 months, then I'd be out of that consensual relationship so fast. That is why I shall choose wisely. I shall choose based upon mutual attraction, mutual love, mutual respect, mutual agreement that we are both powerful beings expressing a power that is inherent in the universe being expressed in opposite ways. Not inferior ways. It's like the attraction between a proton and electron. That is how I view it. At least for now.
It was so nice to read all the posts and to know that for many there are no set definitions. I have heard some Masters/Mistresses say that each slave is different so the realtionship they have with each of their slaves is different, based upon the needs and limits of that individual.
I thank you all for more food for thought.
TranceTara
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