Spiritual BDSM, Magical BDSM 
and masochismo FAQ

By Treasure

This document is licensed under the OpenContent Public License (OPL) and may not be modified except under the terms of that license.

1 Administrative stuff.

1.1 Why this FAQ?

This FAQ came about because of a recent discussion on soc.subculture.bondage-bdsm about the definition of "BDSM." Over the course of this discussion it became clear that while many people do BDSM for sexual reasons, a fair number do BDSM for reasons that are not sexual or not primarily sexual.

1.2 Where can I get the current version of this document?

It's no longer available

1.3 Is there an html version of this document.

I'm not maintaining it at this time.

2 Definitions.

2.1 What is spiritual BDSM?

Within this document, "spiritual BDSM" refers to consensual Bondage, Domination, Sadism, Masochism, or Submission done PRIMARILY for the purpose of spiritual worship or meditation.

2.2 What is magical BDSM?

Within this document, "magical BDSM" refers to consensual Bondage, Domination, Sadism, Masochism, or Submission done PRIMARILY for the purpose of casting a spell. This is listed distinct from spiritual BDSM because some people who practice "magic-k" do not do so within a traditionally "spiritual" context.

2.3 What is masochismo?

Within this document, "masochismo" refers to consensual Bondage, Domination, Sadism, Masochism, or Submission done PRIMARILY for the purpose of challenging physical and emotional limits.

3 Spiritual BDSM

3.1 Who does spiritual BDSM?

Practices involving pain or sensation play have been used by many different religions and spiritual paths through the centuries. In the 20th century some neo-pagans have incorporated BDSM into their religious ritual life (or incorporated religious ritual into BDSM.)

I have not read of other faiths actively incorporating BDSM into their spirituality but individuals may do this.

3.2 Why do spiritual BDSM?

Intense sensation or pain, bondage, sensory deprivation can produce powerful altered states of consciousness. Some bottoms report reaching meditative states which can lead to out of body experiences, visions, spiritual ecstasy or a deep sense of well-being. In this context, the top serves as a guide to help the bottom reach that state and safely return again.

3.3 Can spiritual BDSM include sex?

It can but it doesn't need to.

Sexual interaction during a spiritual BDSM scene can be treated as a means to an end. Sexual pleasure in this kind of a context is not a goal, but a tool used as part of a meditative or ecstatic experience.

3.4 What separates spiritual BDSM from sexual BDSM?

There is some overlap between the two. In spiritual BDSM the goal is to reach a meditative or ecstatic state of consciousness. The sensations are processed with that goal in mind. Spiritual BDSM can also be sexual BDSM. Some people may combine the two within a scene. For others they may have distinctly different flavors.

Spiritual BDSM may also include the use of religious liturgy and symbols over the course of a scene. For example within a Wiccan ritual this may include defining a ritual space before the scene and dismissing the ritual space after the scene.

3.5 What separates spiritual BDSM from traditional religious forms of submission?

This is a big debate. My personal feeling is that primary difference is one of self-identification.

4 Magical BDSM

4.1 Who does magical BDSM?

Magical BDSM is primarily practiced by members of modern magical traditions. Some of these traditions may be explicitly "spiritual." Some may not be.

4.2 Why do magical BDSM?

Some magical practices involve raising spiritual energy and then directing that energy towards a specific task. BDSM is used as one way to raise energy for casting a spell.

4.3 Can magical BDSM include sex?

It can but it doesn't need to.

Sexual interaction during a magical BDSM scene can be treated as a means to an end. Sexual pleasure in this kind of a context is not a goal, but a tool used to build energy for the spell that is being cast.

5 Masochismo

5.1 What separates masochismo from sexual BDSM?

Masochismo is the use of BDSM practices as a bottom to challenge mental and emotional limits. This may or may not be erotic or pleasurable to a bottom. The goal of a bottom doing masochismo is to see how much he or she can take during a given scene.

5.2 Can masochismo include sex?

It depends. Some people find pain and sensation play to be incompatible with sexual arousal. Some may have sex during the emotional high that follows arousal or as part of the scene.

5.3 Why do people practice masochismo?

For some of the same reasons people may endure discomfort while running marathons or climbing mountains.

a: Getting past fears. For some people the way to stop being afraid of something is to just do it. BDSM can provide a safe negotiated space in which a person can have a frightening experience.

b: Pushing limits. For some people, the thrill comes from being able to take "just one more" than they thought they could.

c: Sense of pride and accomplishment. Some people experience feelings of pride and strength at being able to take what their top can dish out.

5.4 Where does the term "masochismo" come from.

From what I can tell, it was first coined by Dossie Easton and Catherine Lizst in "The Bottoming Book" (Greenery Press). I've just grabbed it as a description of what I do.

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Copyright 2003

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