Sacred Kink, By Lee Harrington

I came across this title in the reference section of one of the aforementioned academic papers I shared. Reference lists are great resources for more information, though when it come to academia there are limits as to what is acceptable to site under particular circumstances. A variety of rules exist, a culture, around how things are written partially so we can absorb as much information as quickly as possible. I kinkily relish in breaking these very rules in my blog! Like using contractions isn't allowed so every time I do recognize that I experience pleasure from it ;)

In the introduction of this book, which is a second edition released in 2016, Harrington shares that sacred kink practices are ancient and more pervasive than we might realize. The author discovered themes in Shamanism, Christian monasticism, Hinduism, Buddhism and others! So interesting! The full title of the work is, Sacred Kink: The Eightfold Paths of BDSM and Beyond. 

Harrington offers a variety of definitions of the sacred, recognizing it is not a universal understand per se. The definition that resonates for me is the use of the elements to connect with the sacred, and the author applies them to different aspects of kinky play: earth - boots/surrender, air - breath play/single tails, fire - wax/spanking, and water - piss/blood. 

Next, Lee reviews the term 'altered states of consciousness' (ASC), which is ultimately the goal of sacred kink and what folks strive for. Some might call it being in 'the flow', meditation, or being present. One outcome of ASC the books lists that appeals to me personally is having permission to feel emotions and sensations fully. I have a story in my head that my emotions are unwelcome and inconvenient for everyone involved. Creating an opportunity where I have complete permission to feel them makes my body sink further into my seat.

One path to these altered states that the author mentions not exploring, is the path of Madness and those that find enlightenment through what we label 'mental illness'. I thought that was a different take on our current cultural conceptions. Through these altered states, Lee has experienced that we can perceive and understand ourselves in new and different ways. 

The paths that our friend Lee does explore are that of rhythm, ordeal, flesh, ritual, breath, horse, asceticisum, and sacred plants. Furthermore, the author says that some people might blend these paths in various ways as we each have our own unique experiences of accessing ASC. We have all experienced ASC at various times, this guide potentially allows us to experience them at will.

If you have read this book or want me to continue posting more about it in future, please leave a comment!

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