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ORIGINAL: Lorenzo19

My theory is that sexuality and BDSM D/s can be a spiritual path (not the only path). That is a radical idea by and large. And could be an interesting topic.

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ORIGINAL: Lorenzo19

So far it seem most do not have any personal experiences to share, but conceed it may be possible.

some are bored. some skeptical.

I'll continue to monitor this thread in case some one has something new to say.

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ORIGINAL: Bodhisatva

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ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

I rely on my Judaism for spiritual enlightenment.  I don't consider the lifestyle to be that path.

It's odd because they're two separate codes of living.  But they don't conflict, so I simply follow both.

Really? You find no conflict between the ethics of judiasm and the way one must act in this lifestyle?

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ORIGINAL: littlewonder

everything in my life is a part of my spirituality but bdsm is not my path to spirituality...living life is.

 

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My ex wife could come home from shopping flushed and fulfilled. Is that too a spiritual path?

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ORIGINAL: Lorenzo19

I believe everyone has thier own path to spirituality. The Kama Sutra expouses how sexuality can be that path. BDSM-D/s has upped the ante in sexuality. Maybe it is time for Kama Sutra 2nd Edition.

The question is:

How is or can BDSM-D/s be a path to spirituality?
What can BDSM-D/s teach us about the spirit?
Do you feel more spiritual because of your BDSM-D/s experiences?
Do you feel less spiritual (more animalistic) because of your BDSM-D/s experiences?


I will give My view points later. I dont want this thread to start out as a debate of My opinions.

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ORIGINAL: crazyml
Like LadyAngelika I'm an atheist, so I'm a little bit cynical about the term "spirituality", but if your definition includes the secular analog - "enlightenment"

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ORIGINAL: Jeffff
I like to kill hookers, it is My spiritual path.

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Yet, do not be surpised if putting the experience down in words evades you. You won't be the first nor the last.

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ORIGINAL: Lorenzo19
Do you feel more spiritual because of your BDSM-D/s experiences?

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ORIGINAL: Lorenzo19
Do you feel less spiritual (more animalistic) because of your BDSM-D/s experiences?

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ORIGINAL: jujubeeMB

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ORIGINAL: Lorenzo19
Do you feel more spiritual because of your BDSM-D/s experiences?

No. I've never been religious, but my spiritual enlightenment-like moments have happened on cliffs overlooking a wild blue sea, not bent over and pleading for release. The only thing that D/s has enlightened me to is some of the darker parts of my mind and the minds of others.

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ORIGINAL: Lorenzo19

I have been giving the following subject a lot of thought for many many years, and recently after browsing many profiles on CM, I have come to a realization. I alluded to it in the addiction thread a couple days ago. It's directly related to the topic here and a specifc question. I call it Spiritual Suicide (for lack of a better word) or maybe BDSM Dark (less dramatic).

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ORIGINAL: Lorenzo19
Do you feel less spiritual (more animalistic) because of your BDSM-D/s experiences?

Browsing some of the profiles of submissive girls I was disturbed by some of the things some girls were seeking in D/s relationships. I know We are not supposed to criticize other peoples kinks. And that is absolutely not My intention here. I have hesitated to bring up this subject for that very reason. My purpose here is simply to analyze the spiritual ojective of the individuals practicing such kinks. Obviously the practioners are trying to achieve some objective and that objective is what is in question. NOT the judgement of right or wrong. I welcome with an open mind practioners on both sides of the kneel and both sides of the kink to help understand the objectives and what spiritual effects they think or believe will ensue.

What disturbed Me were not the more bizarre fetishes like toilet training, pony training and the like. I'm pretty jaded when it comes to these things. What really disturbed Me were requests such as: Take away my personality, wants, needs, treat me like a thing without feelings, without thoughts, without memories, without friends, without love, without hopes or dreams, without any semblence of being human, or having ever been human, an object, a thing. even less than a thing.
 
Are these really any different from the profiles of submissive men asking to be enslaved 24/7 in what some would see as less than ideal or realistic conditions?  Here's an example of one that was on the AskA Mistress forum http://www.collarchat.com/fb.asp?m=3089385  Sometimes these profiles are real, sometimes they're the fantasies of the person writing them who has no intention of making these dreams reality.  For many it's escapism.


I'm not talking about being turned into a footstool for a few hours... I'm talking about 24/7. All the time. Day in and day out. One profile spelled out very clearly what I have stated here in My own words. I will not reveal or quote the profile to protect their privacy.

Obviously I feel the spiritual effects are negitive. And I dont think that is being judgemental because it seems to Me that is thier precise objective.

First off...it is judgemental, you're passing judgement on something/someone http://www.answers.com/topic/judgment  
 
Is what you're describing a spiritual issue or a charater/personality problem?  Are they using BDSM or D/s as a escape from reality moreso than a spiritual path they've chosen to follow?  Is following a spiritual path, regardless of what path it is, a choice a person makes to escape the reality of their current life or is it in conjuction with the choice to see less (or annihilation) of the Self to become more a part of the Collective as a whole? 
Is either choice positive or negative and who decides?


Can one of the possible objectives of BDSM-D/s be Spiritual Suicide? In other words are some people seeking the dark side of BDSM-D/s rather than the light side? and does that objective have a negitive effect on the spirit?

All choices have an effect on the psyche or soul of a person.  What is dark and negative for one is enlightenment for another...who decides which is right or wrong?  I've know dominants who felt it was necessary to use strong humiliation and debasement as a way to remove self-pride from a submissive.  They felt it was necessary to remove any trace of the person that was seen as negative and counter-productive to reveal the new and better (?) sub/slave.  This was seen as positive for both the D-type and the s-type...not so for others around them. 
 
I've seen people who were deeply spiritual and deeply entranced with their chosen spiritual path.  They seem like robots to me but, they will tell you this is the best they've ever been.  They've never felt so complete as they do now that they've found their teacher/guru/path/G*d.  Is it a good or bad thing that they found their path, albeit a path I may not agree with or understand?

This still comes back to two questions....OP, how do you define spirituality and what is spirit in context to your question?

Let Me restate that I make no judgements as to this particular kink. It is simply to explore the objectives of the practioners and it's effect on the human spirit. This question is not much different than asking "If having sex with a girl after punishing her would have a negitive impact on the girl" as has been asked in a current thread.

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ORIGINAL: wisdomtogive

My spirit thirsts to expand, yet it does quietly. It does not believe in assumptions that others are interested in what I do, who I am or the life path I walk. I walk silently now, without the need to open minds. If a mind is thirsty and I can help a little, that person will come to me. This is the way for me. The Spirit within is not to be display on a pedestal, but to be viewed daily as an action. Who I am will be displayed daily, and who I am is the good the bad and ugly