The Seven Fundamentals of Being a Master By Sir Florence
(For the purposes of this article, I will use the term “Master” to refer to a high-level, skilled Dominant — either male or female.)
When a submissive meets a Dominant, it is very important that he/she is able to evaluate this potential Master even if it is only for play. There are many articles on the Internet explaining what traits a submissive should look for in a Dominant. In articles with titles like “What traits should I look for in a Master,” aspects of character are usually listed and expounded upon. Honesty, humility, honor, compassion, intelligence, patience, self-control, self-respect and self-esteem invariably make the list of the most desirable characteristics. Add “modesty” to this list and you paint a picture of perfection few can attain.
But these are subjective traits, virtually impossible to judge objectively. Besides, the possession of all these qualities alone would not a Master make. A person with all these fine virtues might make a great President - but not necessarily a BDSM Master.
Fundamental Number One
Knowledge is the lifeblood of all mastery. You cannot be a BDSM Master without being well read in this area. You must have read at least two non-fiction BDSM books (Booklist ) and have completely digested at least one extensive BDSM informational/educational website. There are many such sites on the Internet including BDSM U right here.
Fundamental Number Two
You cannot be a BDSM Master unless you have mastered at least one other non-BDSM discipline. This could include being a computer gamer, a fireman, a carpenter, a pool player, a chef, a martial artist, a chess player, a pilot, a bodybuilder, a poet, a skateboarder, a craftsman, a guitarist, a bowler, a painter, a parent, a mechanic. The list is virtually endless. But you must understand the dynamics of “mastering” something, anything — no matter how obscure — before you can Master another human being
Fundamental Number Three
Being a “Lone Ranger” Master is no Master at all. You must be part of a D/s community. If one cannot exchange ideas with other Masters, Doms, Dommes, switches, subs and slaves, how can one gather the information necessary to become — and remain — a Master? Joining and participating in an Internet BDSM posting group, a local real-time BDSM club or even being member of the bondage.com community would qualify. (By reading this article, it can be assumed you are already a bondage.com member, so you automatically get this one for free! One down, six to go!)
Fundamental Number Four
You must have attended at least three BDSM play parties. At first glance, this might seem a frivolous requirement. Not! Being disinterested in what other lifestylers do demonstrates a cavalier lack of interest in BDSM. Master computer techs go to computer conventions; master filmmakers go to the movies; master painters go to museums. You do not have to play; observing is sufficient. (Some Masters are averse to public play.) But you must see what your peers are up to.
Fundamental Number Five
You must master at least three areas of BDSM play. For example, crops, floggers and canes would count as three. Whips, CBT and mummification would count as three. Wax, hand-spanking and the paddle would count as three. Mix and match.
Fundamental Number Six
Although the exemplary character traits listed at the beginning of this article do not, in and of themselves, make a Master, they are still essential. The sixth required fundamental is a general sense of honor and honesty in all BDSM dealings.
Fundamental Number Seven
A captain without a ship is not a captain. A Master without a submissive is not a Master. To be a real-time Master, you must have had a real-time D/s relationship with a submissive for at least one year in duration. Without the three dimensional experience of owning a submissive for a year in the real world, one can never become a real-time Master.
(Note: to become an “online Master” would require having an online submissive for a year; fundamentals numbers four and five would not apply.)
If one can meet five or six of these criteria, he/she would be a fine Dominant and would be well on the way towards being a “Master.” When all seven fundamentals are met — which is not an easy task — then that Dominant can reasonably expect to be called “Master.”
Although there is still no accreditation, these “Seven Fundamentals of Being a Master” are an attempt to format a universal standard — so that the word “Master” has some generally accepted basis in fact. At the very least, these fundamentals is something to aspire to. Even if one is able to satisfy all Seven Fundamentals, that is still just the tip of the iceberg. There is always more to learn, more areas to master and, most of all, more fun to have!
Article from:
http://subshelpingsubs.tripod.com/articles/thesevenfundamentalsofbein.html
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