My introductory post to [livejournal.com profile] the_pain_sutras

Jun. 11th, 2004 12:41 am
sophiaserpentia: (Default)
[personal profile] sophiaserpentia
This community was created to host a focused discussion on sacred sexuality, particularly with regards to practices involving pain, discipline, domination, submission, bondage, and restraint.

Traditionally the word "sacred" means "dedicated to the divine" -- which in turn implies that all must be done solemnly, in accord with religious, moral, and ritual code.

Certain kinds of stimulation, however, possess a unique ability to undermine one's unquestioning acceptance of doctrine and set one on the course of mystical inquiry. Why one might want to do this will be discussed in a moment.

One such experience is mental focus cultivated by bodily disciplines such as meditation, yoga, martial arts, tai chi, and qigong. Related to this is intellectual focus associated with mystical or occult ritual, including initiation, visionary trance, and ecstatic dancing, drumming, or whirling. These forms of discipline -- which I label esoteric -- can, for complex neurological reasons (simultaneous excitation of the sympathetic nervous system, parasympathetic nervous system, and limbic system), bring about spiritual states of ecstacy along with powerful fear or awe.

So the service rendered by sacred sexuality is not to promote religious doctrine directly, but to force us to scrutinize it. Religion claims to bring us cosmic truths and provide us with divine guidance -- and if this is so, then it must surely be able to withstand scrutiny. Sacred sexuality can be an important element in the process of spiritual renewal, in ensuring that religion reflects and matches our experiences, instead of becoming a hollow set of empty superstitions.

We need only see the mistrust with which religious authorities have always viewed sex and esoterica, to understand their importance as acts of rebellion. Blind rebellion is not always a good thing; and if there is no need for reform, rebellion goes nowhere. But if rebellion is needed... and it is needed when self-styled spiritual leaders promote hatred, divisiveness, discord, or even war... then sacred sexuality is a potent element thereof.

This is a matter I have been exploring for some time. This link is to an entry which coalesces several entries I've made exploring the parallels between esoteric experiences, and the potential of subspace within the context of BDSM.
http://www.livejournal.com/community/darkpaganism/255800.html

Crossposted to my journal and crossposted to [livejournal.com profile] the_pain_sutras
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