Nature of D/s

These are notes from my first Protected Submissives reading assignment.

Each D/s relationship is unique. There is no one “right way”.

Following your own truth (as given to you by who you choose to lead you) is the only way to find what you’re looking for. Same “journey” analogy that is used below. It might be good to be exposed to different styles and philosophies though. Maybe Miss Forceme’s classes, or working at Sir Bellmar’s ranch, or one of the Gorean slave houses, or at SAG. Maybe Miss Crystal and Sir Grayson would allow that when I’m further through the program.

I’m not convinced that President/citizen is an example of a power exchange relationship, but maybe that’s because I’m a Kiwi. Otherwise, all of these relationships are either BDSM relationships, or are used in BDSM fantasy roleplay. In fantasy roleplay it is a stereotypical (Boss/employee) or perverted (Parent/child, Teacher/student) version of the relationship that is used. Real relationships are almost the opposite: The Boss works to empower the employee, not seduce her. Or maybe it isn’t so different. Look at the relationship that Sir Grayson and Aislinn seem to have. Grayson certainly appears to set policy – and Aislinn is given autonomy to execute that policy?

This is interesting. Talking about the heart of the power exchange. Does this hint at what motivates us, what draws us down this path?

The power exchange is symbiotic and feeds the needs of both Dom and sub.  When that balance is thrown off by a submissive unwilling to relinquish the power but clinging to the Dom or a Dom taking all the power and abusing it without providing for the needs of the submissive, the relationship can devolve into some very messy ends.

a submissive unwilling to relinquish power or a dom abusing that power can lead to unhealthy co-dependency.

What about short-term BDSM relationships? Which used to be the norm? And are still common?

t is possible to engage in these fetishes and kinks just for the excitement/gratification that they give, but that there is the possibility of much more.

Here is the second metaphor – peeling of the layers. Reminds me of the Lion peeling off Eustance’s dragon skin in Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Interesting to have a Christian motif popping up in a BDSM context. Or maybe not? Crown of thorns, piercing with a spear, crucifixion, resurrection all sound like BDSM themes. Did DBSM borrow from Christianity, or vice versa? Maybe this question is a bit deep for now. Or maybe it is all a figment of my imagination anyway.

Sounds vaguely Zen-like. D/s is a road to enlightenment?