David English - The Ritual of Dominance & Submission

When you think of the term Dominance and Submission, you may come up with an infinite number of variations on what that means to you, the individual.There is however one variation of Dominanceand Submission, or D/S as it is commonlycalled, that is not a variation so much as it is the underlying core of howevery D/S interaction is performed. This isthe not so commonly, but often sought after world of HighProtocol Dominance and Submission.

If youve found your way to this book you probably already know at least something about the world of D/Sand perhaps have more than a passing interest in things like bondage & discipline or sadomasochism. That said , there are already many bookson the market that go into these topics in moredetail, helping even the complete novice find their way into practicing their kink safely.

What is not found in print very commonly however is the disclosure of a much more secretive world within theD/S and BDSM communities called High Protocol Dominance and Submission, also known as High Protocol, or more simply HP. Its always been there, never really hidden fromview, but has somehow over the years there has managed to remain a veil of mystery and secrets over this hiddenvariation of Dominance and Submission. Thoseyou might see practicing it in your area are oftenvery public about their lifestyle dynamics, yetoffer up no clear understanding of it at the same time. It goes something likethis...

A couple will enter the local dungeon or BDSM club likeany other, only there is something more formal aboutthem. Itis like they walkedright out of one of those Hollywood moviesthatportray D/S and Sadomasochism as some sort of cult underground filled with secrecy and intrigue.

Im sure most of us have seen at least one movie or read a book that has a dominant figure that is strict andfirm with the submissive character. The dominant character portraysrigid rules that cannot be broken and leaves no doubt to the casual observer that they are to be obeyed without question by anywho find themselves at this persons feet. The image is typically captivating and filled with sexual tension, leaving the viewer in awe of what theysee when presented as a fictional writing or put on the big screen.

This couple however is not on the big screen, insteadfinding a place to settle in and socialize just across the room from you. They are like any other couple who have chosento practice an alternative lifestyle, but if you ask themwhat makes them different, they are likely to say that theydont practice an alternative lifestyle. Many people dontcall it that, instead insisting this is simplywho they are and that they as a couple,or even individuals simply enjoy a more structured and defined social interaction within their lifestyle dynamicand the BDSMcommunity as a whole.

Many find themselves intrigued, yet still on the outside of this lesser commonly practiced form of D/S. They may search it out only to find that there looms a moresecretive world, often just beyond theirreach. This usually comes in the form ofsecret societies, or membership-only-groups that screentheir prospective members for like mindsets, and many other possible criteria before allowing them access toeven social status within the group. For these groups the rules of D/S are different. The very way they practice theirpersonal relationships can be much moreintense than the average D/S relationship,typically identifying as a Master, Mistress or Slave rather thanDominants and Submissives.

For these individuals their relationship dynamics are typically classified by their titles more so than theirpersonality type, most commonly as Master, (or Mistress) & Slave,or M/S for short. This, however does notpreclude the overall D/S dynamics from being included in theirrelationship dynamics.

These individuals often choose to live all parts of their lives with detailed rituals and protocols to provide the structure, routines and activities that create the HighProtocol relationship dynamics. This behavioris so strong in many that it defines theirvery personality in all aspects of their lives, simplybleeding over into their relationships and social interactionsboth in and out of the BDSM lifestyle.