Altered States (aka subspace and beyond)

[Mistress Zhao]

Take a gander at this article:

 

http://www.livescience.com/43502-sadomasochism-mind-alteration.html

[Mistress Fei]

Best article I've read in a long time

[wayne]

Take a gander at this article:

 

 

After taking a gander at this article, I realize I definitely have an altered conciousness while in a session. There is complete focus on what only what we both are doing and feeling and nothing else at all. This seems to to come from contributions of the sensuality, sexiness, pain, even humor, and the trust between us. It really is like a meditative state where I can "rest my brain" and not be concerned of anything else. Afterwords, I always have a feeling of contentment and energy.

[Mistress Eva Koi]

What an interesting read! Certainly explains why I'm always in such a chipper mood all the time. Thanks for sharing, Mistress Zhao.

[uroboros]

Dear Admin:

The reference in the article, that BDSM can be spiritual as opposed to sexual points up the central problem of elevating the spirit above the so called lowly flesh. Aside from the obvious objection to the knee jerk assignment of the spiritual as masculine, heavenly, above and better than the body, what we call spiritual is always about movement and body. The spirit is the flesh. The visceral and sensual are the antennae for achieving the 'higher frequencies' mistakenly accused as being not body, not human, and spiritual. The surest clue to this, and for me a central mystery is that the words we use for sex and the body parts associated with sex are also called obscenities, and the worst things that can be said to one another. The notion of original sin is the villain here, where the blame falls on woman and the body.

 

The professional fantasy salon is theatre, therapy, and the perfect place to exorcize demons. I intend to visit soon. My quandary is whom to choose as all of you feel like artists, and that you seem to treat your work as play. (a true sign of wisdom)

 

Thank you,

 

Marco Runanin

[Mistress Zhao]

Hi Wayne!

 

I believe that we have a certain chemisty that permits your brain to rest so that you can be hyper-present in our time together. I see this as a pre-requesite for this altered state to follow; complete and implicit trust. And when you allow your active brain to take a rest, it's a lot like putting yourself in a meditative or even hypnotic state where afterward, the brain comes back awake and feels rejuvenated.

 

Perhaps I just paraphrased everything you just said, but in short, I agree!

 

After taking a gander at this article, I realize I definitely have an altered conciousness while in a session. There is complete focus on what only what we both are doing and feeling and nothing else at all. This seems to to come from contributions of the sensuality, sexiness, pain, even humor, and the trust between us. It really is like a meditative state where I can "rest my brain" and not be concerned of anything else. Afterwords, I always have a feeling of contentment and energy.

[Mistress Zhao]

Hi Rabbit ;D

 

I think what the article chose to focus on was the purest form of the term BDSM; bondage, discipline, sadism and masochism. Or perhaps even just sadism and masochism. While I agree that BDSM is an umbrella term for a plethora of activities and notions, it seems that the focus was on what most people try to avoid in life: pain.

 

Your cognitive discombobulation is perhaps a result of a series of steps that bring you into a space sanctioned only for BSDM play with a Mistress you have met only under the guise of BDSM. So it's almost like a ritual for you to come up the elevator, enter the gate with the guidance of "the voice", walk down the darkened halls and into the play room. Everything here is designed to take you away from your normal, everyday sights and sounds. Your daily logic and thought behaviors are not applicable here. You must adopt a new space in your cognitive behaviors, and turning down that dial of activity is one effective way

 

This is a really interesting article that focuses on a very specific aspect of BDSM. It is not clear that the researchers understand the breadth of the word BDSM or they chose to focus on one specific aspect of it. But the article does hit on a lot of truths, especially relating to operation of the brain during BDSM. I have wondered for quite some time why I feel more cognitively impaired during a session that outside of it. There would be so many thoughts I have prior to a session and post but during the session my mind goes blank. This would explain that phenomenon quite well. Of course the other explanation is I am retarded But I like to think the article is right. LOL.

[Mistress Zhao]

Dearest uroboros,

 

I follow the first two-thirds of your opening paragraph, but the last couple of sentences really threw me off. So what you're saying is that there a universal perception of the spirit being masculine, and the flesh being feminine? I fail to see where this idea came from, other than the bible, and we all know that those are simply stories of allegory and metaphor.

 

From what I understand, the notion of the spirit being above the flesh is also a metaphor for our values. When you devalue the spirit or soul, and the body becomes the focus, objectifications like sex trafficking and abuse seem a lot more feasible.

 

My understanding is the the spirit is also know as life force (prana, chi) and can exist without a body. And the body, or flesh, is a sophisticated machine made of tissue, bone, and fluid, that houses the spirit. Spirit permeates the body and also emanates from it (aura) but a body is simply a corpse without the spirit.

 

I would not refer to any words that are used in reference to body parts as obscenities, but I can see why you would perceive our culture's loose usage of some words as such.

 

If you need any assistance with your deliberations on choosing a Mistress, you can always email [email protected] and our wonderful Admin ladies will give you a selection of choices that best suit your interests.

 

 

Dear Admin:

The reference in the article, that BDSM can be spiritual as opposed to sexual points up the central problem of elevating the spirit above the so called lowly flesh. Aside from the obvious objection to the knee jerk assignment of the spiritual as masculine, heavenly, above and better than the body, what we call spiritual is always about movement and body. The spirit is the flesh. The visceral and sensual are the antennae for achieving the 'higher frequencies' mistakenly accused as being not body, not human, and spiritual. The surest clue to this, and for me a central mystery is that the words we use for sex and the body parts associated with sex are also called obscenities, and the worst things that can be said to one another. The notion of original sin is the villain here, where the blame falls on woman and the body.

 

The professional fantasy salon is theatre, therapy, and the perfect place to exorcize demons. I intend to visit soon. My quandary is whom to choose as all of you feel like artists, and that you seem to treat your work as play. (a true sign of wisdom)

 

Thank you,

 

Marco Runanin

[uroboros]

Dear Friends: I am so pleased that my musings have sparked interest, and thank you for adding to the discussion. Part of the problem is that our language has for so long expressed flesh/spirit as polarities, we don't possess adequate terms for expressing them as a unity. I am writing a book called The Spirit is the Flesh, and have a blog of the same name. Just as space/time were once thought to be co-ordinates like up and down, we now express them as a unity. So too with energy/matter, which are phases of the same process. Body/mind, or if you like, flesh/spirit are similarly not ad versus, opposites, they are integral.

 

Ever since the Northern Indo/Aryian sky/master-god cultures overwhelmed the more advanced and less warlike Goddess worshipping cultures of the near and far East, and Eastern Europe, circa 4,500-1500 BC, submission and silence became feminine 'virtues'. The association of woman as body, and sin, became unquestioned and subordinate to the male as spirit, and the idea that God is masculine. It persists even today. I will not try your patience longer, as you have enough to read.

 

Thank you again for responding,   Marco

[wayne]

Hi Wayne!

 

I believe that we have a certain chemisty that permits your brain to rest so that you can be hyper-present in our time together. I see this as a pre-requesite for this altered state to follow; complete and implicit trust. And when you allow your active brain to take a rest, it's a lot like putting yourself in a meditative or even hypnotic state where afterward, the brain comes back awake and feels rejuvenated.

 

Perhaps I just paraphrased everything you just said, but in short, I agree!

Your response validates my thinking and I can go on for a long time on subjects like this.  Sometimes it's hard to find many people to deeply discuss matters like this.  I just wanted to add that I left out the spirit part of this, which i believe is the most important part!  I feel that through the body and the mind , the spirit of one can communicate itself to the spirit of the other.  If the two spirits can relate well to each other,  another conciousness is created, consisting a space where both of our spirits reside and nothing else.  With the element of trust, our spirits are at peace and enriched by each other.

[Manpeach]

After taking a gander at this article, I realize I definitely have an altered conciousness while in a session. There is complete focus on what only what we both are doing and feeling and nothing else at all. This seems to to come from contributions of the sensuality, sexiness, pain, even humor, and the trust between us. It really is like a meditative state where I can "rest my brain" and not be concerned of anything else. Afterwords, I always have a feeling of contentment and energy.

My experiences are very similar, Wayne.

Not being a pain slut myself, I rely more on the other senses in the brain to activate and like "rest my brain" but I would say more "divert my brain" into thinking and feeling in new ways. The end result being a rested brain,....with a few sore spots.

[Manpeach]

Take a gander at this article:

 

http://www.livescience.com/43502-sadomasochism-mind-alteration.html

I am always happy when science steps in and legitimizes what we experience.

[Manpeach]

Dear Admin:

The reference in the article, that BDSM can be spiritual as opposed to sexual points up the central problem of elevating the spirit above the so called lowly flesh. Aside from the obvious objection to the knee jerk assignment of the spiritual as masculine, heavenly, above and better than the body, what we call spiritual is always about movement and body. The spirit is the flesh. The visceral and sensual are the antennae for achieving the 'higher frequencies' mistakenly accused as being not body, not human, and spiritual. The surest clue to this, and for me a central mystery is that the words we use for sex and the body parts associated with sex are also called obscenities, and the worst things that can be said to one another. The notion of original sin is the villain here, where the blame falls on woman and the body.

 

The professional fantasy salon is theatre, therapy, and the perfect place to exorcize demons. I intend to visit soon. My quandary is whom to choose as all of you feel like artists, and that you seem to treat your work as play. (a true sign of wisdom)

 

Thank you,

 

Marco Runanin

 

 

Dearest uroboros,

 

I follow the first two-thirds of your opening paragraph, but the last couple of sentences really threw me off. So what you're saying is that there a universal perception of the spirit being masculine, and the flesh being feminine? I fail to see where this idea came from, other than the bible, and we all know that those are simply stories of allegory and metaphor.

 

From what I understand, the notion of the spirit being above the flesh is also a metaphor for our values. When you devalue the spirit or soul, and the body becomes the focus, objectifications like sex trafficking and abuse seem a lot more feasible.

 

My understanding is the the spirit is also know as life force (prana, chi) and can exist without a body. And the body, or flesh, is a sophisticated machine made of tissue, bone, and fluid, that houses the spirit. Spirit permeates the body and also emanates from it (aura) but a body is simply a corpse without the spirit.

 

I would not refer to any words that are used in reference to body parts as obscenities, but I can see why you would perceive our culture's loose usage of some words as such.

 

If you need any assistance with your deliberations on choosing a Mistress, you can always email [email protected] and our wonderful Admin ladies will give you a selection of choices that best suit your interests.

 

 

Uroboros, I like the eloquence of your writing, but I cannot agree the spirit is the flesh. The spirit is decidedly not the flesh, but rather is a gateway beyond the physical.

I'm saddling up to uroboros on this. I wouldn't degrade the spirit, I'd like to give the flesh a lot more credit. While it does serve as the vehicle and the antennae for the spirit, it also shapes, feeds and grows the spirit. The spirit is malleable and is shaped by the striking and pounding of the flesh. It is the how and the why, it is the purpose of experiencing this dimension. Just because the flesh will be left behind, that it has a finite being, that that means it is less than the spirit. Who is to say the spirit is truly infinite. It could come to pass away as well. Maybe just on a longer timeline. The flesh is our purpose for being here. We all experience it it and wether we are fat or skinny, heathy or sick, narcissistic or self-actualized it is each our own experience. Just as viable as another. What our spirit becomes is the result of we do to and with our flesh. Our spirit thinks and feels through are flesh. The flesh controls the spirit as much as the spirit guides the flesh........Oh my, I'm rambling now. I should stick to short sappy poetry

[wayne]

My experiences are very similar, Wayne.

Not being a pain slut myself, I rely more on the other senses in the brain to activate and like "rest my brain" but I would say more "divert my brain" into thinking and feeling in new ways. The end result being a rested brain,....with a few sore spots.

Manpeach, I agree, since to me that is the same thing.  Diverting the brain into a different way of thinking, is putting the brain at rest. since that "new way of thinking and feeling" is passive and is of contentment.  I do share the opposite of you about the flesh and spirit.  i believe the flesh has no influence on the spirit (just the brain) and the spirit controls everything.  you can have a spirit with no body, but not have a body without a spirit. Also, I believe you always had, have, and will have your spirit exist.

(maybe i'm thinking too much of this and should practice writing short sappy poetry to rest my brain)   

[Milkdud]

Dear Mistress Zhao,

This is a very interesting study about one of my favorite topics, pain or "extreme sensation" in BDSM play;-) I agree with the study that particular types of BDSM sensations can alter a sub/bottom's sense of reality and enhance the intimate connection between dom and sub;-) It is an experience that definitely transforms consciousness to varying degrees. Of course, we have several thousand years of spiritual/religious ritual practice to support this assertion. And in BDSM play, it often can forge deepening bonds of trust i.e. a sub can both demonstrate his obedience to his lady and abandon self and physical control to her will, wielding so precisely her whip or her cane! I definitely agree that this type of play can be thrilling and invigorating! Perhaps we can put this reaction to the test very, very soon?

Humbly,

md

 

Take a gander at this article:

http://www.livescience.com/43502-sadomasochism-mind-alteration.html

[Manpeach]

Manpeach, I agree, since to me that is the same thing.  Diverting the brain into a different way of thinking, is putting the brain at rest. since that "new way of thinking and feeling" is passive and is of contentment.  I do share the opposite of you about the flesh and spirit.  i believe the flesh has no influence on the spirit (just the brain) and the spirit controls everything.  you can have a spirit with no body, but not have a body without a spirit. Also, I believe you always had, have, and will have your spirit exist.

(maybe i'm thinking too much of this and should practice writing short sappy poetry to rest my brain)

There was a spirit named Wayne

who was looking to "rest his brain"

 

He found Mistress Zhao,

who attacked through his brow.

Now, he's looking for the rest of his brain.

[Mistress Zhao]

Hi Milkdud!

 

I agree with you that this article simply puts science behind the age-old practice of mind alteration/expansion/transformation. From what I can recall, it's the basis for self-flagellation, a practice used by monks to achieve an altered state

 

And very soon, my little Mild Dud, we'll be coming into the space of altered states through pain. Hope you've been very bad! Because I do love to make you hurt!

 

Dear Mistress Zhao,

This is a very interesting study about one of my favorite topics, pain or "extreme sensation" in BDSM play;-) I agree with the study that particular types of BDSM sensations can alter a sub/bottom's sense of reality and enhance the intimate connection between dom and sub;-) It is an experience that definitely transforms consciousness to varying degrees. Of course, we have several thousand years of spiritual/religious ritual practice to support this assertion. And in BDSM play, it often can forge deepening bonds of trust i.e. a sub can both demonstrate his obedience to his lady and abandon self and physical control to her will, wielding so precisely her whip or her cane! I definitely agree that this type of play can be thrilling and invigorating! Perhaps we can put this reaction to the test very, very soon?

Humbly,

md

[Fred]

Mistress Zhao, you said "So what you're saying is that there a universal perception of the spirit being masculine, and the flesh being feminine? I fail to see where this idea came from, other than the bible, and we all know that those are simply stories of allegory and metaphor."   By saying "we all know" and "simply stories of allegory and metaphor" are you dismissing the bible as similar to children's fiction with some simple lessons thrown in?

 

The human writers of the bible were engaged in much the same journey as most of us, existential questions if you will.  The tradition of the eastern church has always been to begin a scripture reading with an intoned "wisdom".  In a similar way I think a psychology that ignores Freud is egocentric and foolish.  Some students of philosophy think they don't need to study Plato, Aristotle and Socrates, which I cannot understand.

 

Notwithstanding the above, I am delighted to be a new observer of the inquiry you and Fei are engaged in.  I will surely learn much from you.

Best,

Fred 

[wayne]

There was a spirit named Wayne

who was looking to "rest his brain"

 

He found Mistress Zhao,

who attacked through his brow.

Now, he's looking for the rest of his brain.

That might explain why Mistress Zhao knows so much,  She takes knowledge from our brains and and integrates it into hers.

But her spirit lives on its own.  I think she is a very nice old soul.

[theotherone]

Unsurprisingly, given the pain, cortisol levels went up during the ritual. But something odd happened: Participants reported feeling less stressed.

"We see this interesting disconnect," Sagarin said. "We think this may be indicative of the types of altered states of consciousness people might be seeking."

 

I think this passage is most interesting.

 

Major kudos to Mistress Zhao for posting -> of course -who else?

 

Is it a seeking an expectation? A desired destination?

Is your Domme, Mistress, Queen .....the engineer on the ride driving that train?

 

The destination is always a place not of the physical, how rudimentary and pedestrian, but rather a place no one knows but you, and your one you are devoted to?

[Mistress Zhao]

Fred,

 

I am not dismissing, but simply categorizing the bible into the classification of "stories and fables involving metaphor and allegory which people (and children) can learn from" instead of being taken as the "word of God". Does this make more sense?

 

Times were much different then, and as humans, we have evolved in ways the earlier humans couldn't imagine (like with our technological feats). But the human condition remains relatively similar, albeit slightly more complex. So I agree with you that a student of philosophy or psychology definitely needs to build his comprehensive repertoire of knowledge from the ground up.

 

Mistress Zhao, you said "So what you're saying is that there a universal perception of the spirit being masculine, and the flesh being feminine? I fail to see where this idea came from, other than the bible, and we all know that those are simply stories of allegory and metaphor."   By saying "we all know" and "simply stories of allegory and metaphor" are you dismissing the bible as similar to children's fiction with some simple lessons thrown in?

 

The human writers of the bible were engaged in much the same journey as most of us, existential questions if you will.  The tradition of the eastern church has always been to begin a scripture reading with an intoned "wisdom".  In a similar way I think a psychology that ignores Freud is egocentric and foolish.  Some students of philosophy think they don't need to study Plato, Aristotle and Socrates, which I cannot understand.

 

Notwithstanding the above, I am delighted to be a new observer of the inquiry you and Fei are engaged in.  I will surely learn much from you.

Best,

Fred 

[Fred]

Mistress,  I'm disapointed by the clarification as well.  Perhaps one day we may meet and we can decide then if it is something we need to discuss.

 

Best,

Fred

[Zantafio]

  Thanks for sharing this article, Mrs. Zhao. It makes me wonder whether, if BDSM were not morally stigmatised, many more than just us lucky enlightened few would enjoy it. It also sheds light on why I forgot the safe word during my session with Mistress Koi two day ago, to my bitter regret.