Potentially Odd Question for the BDSM Crowd

[fire_breeze]

I hope I've posted in the right forum.


I'm doing a graduate degree in cultures of religion, and have recently decided to explore the Mediaeval Flagellant movement. I'd like to apply sexual theory, more specifically, those involving BDSM.


While I've received a lot of advice from two incredible ladies, I thought I'd expand a little. I was wondering if anyone could recommend some semi-articulated authors/scholars/activists (or point me to the right direction) in order to get the depth of research that I want. I am particularly interested in the D/s and S/M dynamics, psychology and power exchange, if that helps.

Also, any comments and/or opinions are always helpful.

Thank you all in advance

 

[CutieMouse]

Radical Ecstacy by Dossie Easton and Janet Hardey deals with spiritual elements of BDSM, that might be of some help.

You might also try Philosophy in the Dungeon by Jack Rinella (I've not read this one).

Researching ecstatic monks, and linking similarities to BDSM (the spiritual high of flagellation/etc to the endorphin high of modern day BDSM flogging) might be of some help.

 

[HottieMama]

Philosophy in the Dungeon by Jack Rinella

This is what I would recommend.. Loved it.

 

[Primalex]

Researching ecstatic monks, and linking similarities to BDSM (the spiritual high of flagellation/etc to the endorphin high of modern day BDSM flogging) might be of some help.

Let's link the similarities of eating chocolate and killing people.

 

[MisterSir]

Let's link the similarities of eating chocolate and killing people.

But Primalex, there's no simil-OH, I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE! AHAHA AREN'T YOU JUST THE CLEVEREST? (Answer: No)

 

[rosco rathbone]

Dark Eros: The Imagination of Sadism by Thomas Moore.

 

[CutieMouse]

Let's link the similarities of eating chocolate and killing people.

I thought I'd pissed you off and you weren't acknowledging me anymore or something?

 

[YourCaptor]

I thought flagellation always coincides with a disaster. I think sex was one of the last things on their minds.

 

[sb2009]

I watched some documentary, no idea how well researched it was. There was a discussion of how the flaggellants would go town to town and that some think they attracted women who hung out at thier camps at night for sexual escapades. However, there was also the idea that some of those in the whole movement were not in it for the piety and suffering, but for the ability to go town to town and be treated like martyrs, etc.

 

[StrayKat]

I thought I'd pissed you off and you weren't acknowledging me anymore or something?

I think changing your AV did it...

 

[Aquila1]

I've just recently finished this and recommend it - a very nice translation as well, although it is quite prolix in parts.

In Praise of the Whip: A Cultural History of Arousal Niklaus Largier

My copy says published in 2007. Worth looking at although perhaps less medieval in focus.

 

[Primalex]

I thought I'd pissed you off and you weren't acknowledging me anymore or something?

No, I just told you to stop sending me PMs.

 

[Primalex]

But Primalex, there's no simil-

Of course there is. Too bad you didn't manage to continue thinking.

 

[psiberzerker]

Historicly, the penitentes where autoflagellate, and do so to show humility towards God. There's no overt sexual, or pleasure aspect, but then, there's no overt pedophilic aspect to being a preist under a vow of abstinence, nor any incestuous rites implicent in Omish society. I'm not saying there were no masochistic penitentes, and I don't ever suspect Torquemada of being a Sexual Sadist, but it is neither the intent, nor official position of the church, nor penitente' movement.

 

[Tuomas]

I'm a bit sketchy on how you apply sexual theory to Flagellant activities. Granted, I'm not an expert in the movement, but it seems to be a very small detail or unremarkable exception in a very violent and traumatic event.

Take Perugia, for example -where the whole thing started- where the movement involved almost the entire city. That it happened after an epidemic (and subsequent Flagellant movements as well) is highly suggestive. Now, it's statistically plausible that there would be sexual deviants involved -given she sheer number of participants- but that doesn't say much about the actual Flagellant movement. Let's not forget that these same people -the citizens of Perugia- also went about the mass slaughter of Jews and priests who opposed them.

You see, when it gets to the anti-Semitism part, I get a little coy about comparisons to BDSM. Flagellants were a cult that was outlawed by the Church (and Popes even had Flagellants burned at the stake as heretics), and probably resemble "cutters" -people who self-harm- more. In fact, if we apply sexual theory to Flagellants and their cult mania, then why can't we do that to cutters?

 

[fire_breeze]

Thank you all for your suggestions! Some I've already checked out, others sound intriguing and still there are others that are jumping points for more consideration. Thank you.

CutieMouse: Radical Ecstasy is one that my advisor suggested that I read when I first became interested in the subject so that I get some groundwork. It's still lying under my cat - I guess I better retrieve it.

While Philosophy in the Dungeon, from the excerpt, is more philosophical based than I'd like, it still would be an intriguing read. Thank you.

Rosco rathbone: I cannot believe that I forgot about Moore - thank you for reminding me.

Aquila1: Thank you for the recommendation; I actually prefer newer research. It's the theory itself that I'm interested in, which is ever evolving. I'll definitely take a look.


I don't think I was clear in research objective - I do apologise Thank you Tuomas and psiberzerker for raising interesting points of consideration.
I'm not suggesting that all who were participants of the Flagellant movement were sexual deviants. Not at all. What I would like to explore is the idea of flagellation (whether or not it was self induced) and the concept of complete submission as a way of spiritual, and more precisely, emotional release. It was an ecstatic experience, and ecstasy often have sexual undertones (mysticism is the prime example; read Theresa of Avila or any Sufi writings). I'm also not proposing that it's all about sex. I'm attempting at drawing parallels, similar to what some scholars did with asceticism and mysticism. And personally, non-official and popular cults and devotions interest me more -they tend to represent the people as opposed the actual institution.

As for the anti-Semitic aspect of the movement, while I am discussing it, it's not a focus - unfortunately, in many movements in Mediaeval era had an anti-Semitic agenda in times of panic, and it's beside the point in my research. It's the fact that it remained even in times of relative calm that fascinates me.

I hope this helped to clarify some things.


Again, thank you all for all your help and insight

 

[Aquila1]

What I would like to explore is the idea of flagellation (whether or not it was self induced) and the concept of complete submission as a way of spiritual, and more precisely, emotional release. It was an ecstatic experience, and ecstasy often have sexual undertones (mysticism is the prime example; read Theresa of Avila or any Sufi writings). I'm also not proposing that it's all about sex. I'm attempting at drawing parallels, similar to what some scholars did with asceticism and mysticism.

If you are interested, here is a link to a Slate article on the Largier book - it's what got me interested enough to hunt down a copy.

http://www.slate.com/id/2174321/

 

[fire_breeze]

If you are interested, here is a link to a Slate article on the Largier book - it's what got me interested enough to hunt down a copy.

http://www.slate.com/id/2174321/

Perfect - thank you so much!