I’ve already covered the character traits of a “good” Dominant which can be applied to SL-based D/s as much as real-life D/s. In what is likely to be the second of three interlinked articles, I’d like to take time to discuss the nature of domination itself.
Domination as an activity stands apart from the character traits of the Dominant. We all have it in us to carry those traits that go towards being a “good” Dominant; however, to truly understand domination requires an understanding and interpretation of the word that not all can grasp or translate easily or correctly.
Protection and Respect
The nature of domination is not simply about giving random orders, or handing down punishment. It is the Dominant’s responsibility to care for, train and nurture their submissive(s), encouraging within the submissive a desire to serve; thus, the nature of domination encompasses protection and respect. Both of these are intertwined because the submissive is willingly surrendering to the Dominant – surrendering control and ego; allowing the Dominant to take control of their life. This requires the Dominant to respond with the proper respect for the submissive’s choice of position and status and to give the proper protection to ensure that the submissive’s relinquishing of control is not in any way abused, either directly by the Dominant, or by any third-party with whom the submissive comes into contact with within the context of their D/s lifestyle. It is the nature of domination for the Dominant to be the submissive’s emotional protector, teacher and lover.
Understanding
The nature of domination is one of understanding. Through open and direct communication the Dominant seeks to gain insight into the submissive’s desires, hopes, needs and wants. Through this insight, the Dominant can take care of the submissive, always giving the submissive what they need – which is not necessarily what they presume they need, nor necessarily what they think they “want.” Thus the nature of Domination is to build upon the trust the submissive gives to the Dominant and to strengthen the submissive’s self-esteem and feelings of self-worth.
The nature of domination is not capricious. It is not about exercising power and control over another either for the sake of the power itself, or at the cost of the submissive’s self-esteem. Those that repeatedly exercise this kind of negative control are not Dominant but domineering – and any submissive facing such acts has every right to take their leave of the individual concerned. Domination is not a licence for one to do as one pleases without thought or care for the impact, physical and / or emotional on a submissive.
Similarly, Domination is not about taking away a submissive’s identity (although the “loss” or “surrender” of identity may well play a valid part in specific role play within the relationship). Nor is it purely about punishment (although the proper application of punishment, delivered clearly and fairly, be it physical or psychological, does have a role to play & “punishment” can be utilised within BDSM role play).
Nurturing
Domination is about growth, love and encouragement. Rather than subsuming the submissive’s identity, Domination should allow it to grow, allowing the submissive to further recognise their own nature and desires with regards to the Dominant, and accept them. Through love and encouragement, the submissive is nurtured and allowed to flourish in their desire to surrender and to serve. As FRR Mallory so eloquently put it:
The submissive radiates from the Dominant’s love and devotion, becoming a rose; a beautiful being that knows they are loved and cared for.
Thus, domination is not about trying to shape or mould a submissive into whatever the Dominant believes the submissive should be. To further echo FRR Mallory: roses do not grow and blossom because we bully them into doing so; they become a thing of beauty because we help them to grow, giving them love, attention and protection. Yes there may be traits or attitudes within a submissive that need softening, worries that need to be allayed or addressed or desires that require nurturing in order for them to grow; but the key to bringing about such changes lay in the one word: nurture. It is the nature of domination to tend and care not to bully and cajole.
All of the above apply as much to SL as they do to rl. The Loving Dominant within SL carries the same responsibilities as any Dominant involved in a rl D/s relationship – perhaps more so, in some respects.
SL tends to encourage us to seek to sate our own wants and needs, regardless of the feelings of others. Where this is clearly understood between the parties involved, it is not a problem – one of the attractions of SL is that it can form a “safe” environment for casual play for all concerned. But there is always a risk that one side is seeking something more – and if this is not understood from the outset, then there is a good chance someone is going to get hurt. While the onus is always on both sides of the equation to clearly express their wants and hopes, there is something of an extra burden on the Dominant to ensure these have been properly understood if there is the slightest suspicion desires between people may not entirely meet up.
SL is also unique in that it is very common for Dominants to have multiple submissives. Again, this isn’t a problem as long as any submissive coming into such a family understands the nature of the environment they are entering, and the Dominant takes the time to understand the unique hopes and desires of the submissive entering the group. We are not all homogenous, and while it may appear that “fun” and “bondage” and “play” are what is sought – it is entirely possible that someone entering such a group environment is seeking something more – and make no mistake, it is the Dominant’s responsibility to recognise this, and act accordingly in order to prevent the real feelings and emotions that lie behind the computer monitor from being hurt.
In Summary
To summarise this post alongside that of the “good” Dominant:
- The profile of a “good” Dominant could be summed up as someone who is mentally strong, able, confident in and of themselves, loving, empathic and gentle;
- And the nature of domination is one of protection, respect, responsibility, encouragement and care.
Those who understand the latter and embrace the former are “true” Dominants, so to speak, whether in Second Life or in real life.
Further Reading
Note: first published on 8th October, 2008, revised April 29th 2011.
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 
Reblogged this on farawayangel.
LikeLike
Not sure why this popped up as “New” activity, but I’m glad it did. I’ve long hoped that you would bring your wisdom and clarity back to the D/s blogosphere. (And yes, that’s a subtle nudge. *wink wink*)
I have always characterized the duties of a good Dominant as akin to proper potting soil, a solid wood stake, and a well-anchored wind fence around a precious rose plant. The Dominant brings nourishment, stability, and protection from outside attacks to the beauty of the submissive. If the soil is too barren, if the wood stake is too shallow, if the fence is too flimsy then the submissive will suffer, falter and may very well “perish” (fall out of the relationship). The particulars of each attribute will vary from Dom to Dom, but their absence or the wrong proportions for the submissive’s situation will without exception result in hurt feelings and an eventual failing that serves neither party in the end.
Well written post Inara. I hope you can find the time and desire to revive this facet of your writings .. and life again.
LikeLike
Hi Darrius
I’m a little mystified myself as to why this is coming up as “new” anywhere. It surprised me that after more than a year being untouched by me, the site started registering rather a lot (for it, at least) hits over the course of the weekend. I’m not sure what has happened, other than perhaps WordPress throwing another wobbly, although why this should be, I’ve no idea.
Thanks for the feedback, kind words – and the nudge :). I agree with your view on the Dominant’s role. However, I very much doubt this blog will see any kind of revival. I’m no longer involved in the scene in RL – haven’t been for a good number of years now; and in SL terms, my interests have moved on; so much so that I never actually finished porting all my old essays to this blog.
I’m actually considering shunting the more relevant pieces I’ve written over to a sub-category in my personal links on Modemworld. But other than doing that, I’m afraid this blog is all but defunct; I’ll more than likely shut it down rather than have anything else go bump.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on lawrence grodecki and commented:
Love, that eternal mystery, and shouldn’t it always be that way?
For me that is a rhetorical question, because I know the answer, and in many ways. Does that make me an expert in love? Of course not, what a horrible claim that would be . . . in a way dishonorable to the divine and the sublime.
Perhaps it is what some may call a hobby, but for me it is more like a way of life . . . the search for it (love) in most of what I see . . . and I’ve seen so much of it in so many ways. Some that know me (or think they do) would scoff at every word I’m writing here, but I can’t control that, have no need to, and simply dismiss the scoffing as irrelevant. That doesn’t make me arrogant, but more like frustrated. There’s so much I’ve come to know, but it seems the price of this knowledge is an almost solitary confinement in the knowing.
Perhaps the painting and the writing are an escape from this solitude? It sometimes feels that way. More than that though, there is this smoldering desire, “true art is characterized by an irresistible urge in the creative artist,” as Einstein put it.
Many readers may find these words vaguely written, and that’s understandable. What I’m reblogging here might also be construed as vague, and yet there is so much beauty in the mystery of it all. I neither condone nor dismiss any of its content, but somehow I do find it easy to understand, as it is ultimately one more way to search and find love, and oddly enough, it seems to describe a creative process.
LikeLiked by 1 person
YaY ! for this group of writings on Domination/submission coming up as New Posts once again ! I didn’t even know you wrote on the topic until now…and they are very well done and insightful…Thank You !
LikeLike