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The Ritual of Dominance & Submission: A Guide to High Protocol Dominance & Submission (Paperback) - Common
Within these pages lay the elusive secrets to defining structure and ritual to alternative dominant/submissive and master/slave lifestyle dynamics within your personal life or your community. You will find a definitive resource for building, practicing and maintaining rituals and protocols within your relationship or group, without having to go join a secret society, or convincing someone to mentor you on their private secrets for success.
- GenresBDSMSexualityNonfiction
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 6, 2012
95 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 25, 2015
One of the more selective skills of a D/s relationship is protocol. Many of the misconceptions is that it's hard to do and that only the more serious power exchange relationships participate. KnyghtMare and I have some moderate protocol all the time since I love it and he likes control so anytime he gets opportunity to take control the better. So I wanted to do some more reading. One of the books suggested to me on protocol was The Ritual of Dominance & Submission: A Guide to High Protocol Dominance & Submission by David English.
The initial chapters of this book had me a bit perplexed. David English says that high protocol is a secret society in many BDSM communities and that the members are often not a part of the broader BDSM community. The author makes it seem like this thing he speaks of is so secretive when there are MAsT (Masters And slaves Together) chapters all over the world. Here in the Midwest that doesn't seem to be the case so perhaps where the author is located the people interested in higher protocol relationships are less likely to be a part of the larger community. It's certainly not some secret society.
But it does take a lot more commitment and dedication to apply protocol to a D/s relationship on the level that is discussed in the book. I appreciate that the author covers a lot of the psychology of the submissive during the protocol as well as the mental conditioning that happens. So much of any BDSM book is the actions involved and rarely do we learn what impact this might have on the Dominant and submissive. Each of the steps to building a protocol level that works for your particular relationship has the psychology of it drawn out for you so you can see what impact it may have on your relationship before implementation.
Now, a large part of this book is dedicated to providing examples and detailed descriptions of protocol that you could apply to your own relationship. There are methods for teaching it to the submissive, using it in private and D/s public situations as well as the mental and emotional impact on the submissive and the value to the Dominant for each protocol addition. Keeping in mind that the focus is high protocol, the detail is great and anyone can downgrade the attention to detail or specifics to suit their own style if they choose. Training programs are covered, but I personally would like to remind people that formalized training doesn't have to happen in the same way as this book, again it focuses on higher protocol relationships. Adding any level of protocol to your relationship can be useful and learning it will require a time period of practice - essentially the training program dumbed down for the casual or moderate level user.
One thing that was quite annoying throughout was the number of grammatical and editing errors within the book. Some of the book could have been trimmed down just by removing all of the fluff and flowery language used and it would be been a more succinct and direct book. If you are a grammar nerd you might want to turn that off for the duration of reading. The book was created and published by the author, without the aid of an editor and while it shows, quite blatantly in some places, the content is worth reading.
I'm not giving this a higher rating because it was hard to get into the book since the author starts out with making high protocol sound impossible to achieve and that groups are secret societies that no one will ever find, but also because there's no clear details on how to get started for the beginner in high protocol. It is written with the assumption that you already know about protocol and just need to up the level to a more formal degree and while that's great for those few people that are there; the majority of people interested in protocol don't have any amount of prior experience and simply have an aching desire to add it to their own dynamic. The book could have done a bit more to help that section of the BDSM public out.
If you are interested in protocol and want to read about high protocol and what it might look like in your dynamic I suggest you give this book a try. The attention to detail will have you learning about positions, verbal and hand cues, formal dining parties and so much more.
The initial chapters of this book had me a bit perplexed. David English says that high protocol is a secret society in many BDSM communities and that the members are often not a part of the broader BDSM community. The author makes it seem like this thing he speaks of is so secretive when there are MAsT (Masters And slaves Together) chapters all over the world. Here in the Midwest that doesn't seem to be the case so perhaps where the author is located the people interested in higher protocol relationships are less likely to be a part of the larger community. It's certainly not some secret society.
But it does take a lot more commitment and dedication to apply protocol to a D/s relationship on the level that is discussed in the book. I appreciate that the author covers a lot of the psychology of the submissive during the protocol as well as the mental conditioning that happens. So much of any BDSM book is the actions involved and rarely do we learn what impact this might have on the Dominant and submissive. Each of the steps to building a protocol level that works for your particular relationship has the psychology of it drawn out for you so you can see what impact it may have on your relationship before implementation.
Now, a large part of this book is dedicated to providing examples and detailed descriptions of protocol that you could apply to your own relationship. There are methods for teaching it to the submissive, using it in private and D/s public situations as well as the mental and emotional impact on the submissive and the value to the Dominant for each protocol addition. Keeping in mind that the focus is high protocol, the detail is great and anyone can downgrade the attention to detail or specifics to suit their own style if they choose. Training programs are covered, but I personally would like to remind people that formalized training doesn't have to happen in the same way as this book, again it focuses on higher protocol relationships. Adding any level of protocol to your relationship can be useful and learning it will require a time period of practice - essentially the training program dumbed down for the casual or moderate level user.
One thing that was quite annoying throughout was the number of grammatical and editing errors within the book. Some of the book could have been trimmed down just by removing all of the fluff and flowery language used and it would be been a more succinct and direct book. If you are a grammar nerd you might want to turn that off for the duration of reading. The book was created and published by the author, without the aid of an editor and while it shows, quite blatantly in some places, the content is worth reading.
I'm not giving this a higher rating because it was hard to get into the book since the author starts out with making high protocol sound impossible to achieve and that groups are secret societies that no one will ever find, but also because there's no clear details on how to get started for the beginner in high protocol. It is written with the assumption that you already know about protocol and just need to up the level to a more formal degree and while that's great for those few people that are there; the majority of people interested in protocol don't have any amount of prior experience and simply have an aching desire to add it to their own dynamic. The book could have done a bit more to help that section of the BDSM public out.
If you are interested in protocol and want to read about high protocol and what it might look like in your dynamic I suggest you give this book a try. The attention to detail will have you learning about positions, verbal and hand cues, formal dining parties and so much more.
September 10, 2013
Great book. Good advice and many insights. Very helpful when exploring the scene and the possibilities.
Not sure, if the author David English listed is really the same for all books listed. Couldn't verify it, since the author page is empty.
There is some more info available on the author's personal page to this nook though (will be updated/annexed as soon as more info will be available):
ABOUT THE BOOK
Within these pages lay the elusive secrets to defining structure and ritual to alternative dominant/submissive or master/slave lifestyle dynamics within your personal life or your community.
You will find a definitive resource for building, practicing, and maintaining, both rituals and protocols within your relationship, or group, and without having to go join a secret society, or convincing someone to mentor you on their private secrets for success.
You will learn not only how to build and maintain these relationship dynamics, but how to integrate or isolate them from all the BDSM activities most books focus on.
Through this book you can learn how to do it right without the distracting focus on BDSM play and most importantly…when it’s being done wrong!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David English, also known as ‘Master Bear’, (or just ‘Bear’ in the Colorado BDSM community), has been practicing High Protocol Master/slave lifestyle dynamics since early 2000. His personal practices and rituals within his lifestyle dynamics have evolved over the years, and although he does not practice every ritual or doctrine offered in this book, many of his personal practices have been included as well.
Over the years he has practiced and studied High Protocol lifestyles from many different viewpoints, combining them with many other aspects of the overall BDSM lifestyle, allowing him to come up with these examples of how many define High Protocol within their lives.
Bear has remained an active part of his local BDSM and High Protocol communities where he has always strived to share his knowledge and experience with the community where ever needed.
Among his accomplishments in the Colorado area are founding a High Protocol Educational group, the founder and director of the MAsT: Fort Collins Chapter, (Masters And slaves Together), a founding member of MAsT: Denver-Metro, a founding member and part of the executive committee for the National Leather Association-Colorado, and was a founding member of a Denver based dominant support group.
Author's Book Page > Buy direct & get a signed copy!
Not sure, if the author David English listed is really the same for all books listed. Couldn't verify it, since the author page is empty.
There is some more info available on the author's personal page to this nook though (will be updated/annexed as soon as more info will be available):
ABOUT THE BOOK
Within these pages lay the elusive secrets to defining structure and ritual to alternative dominant/submissive or master/slave lifestyle dynamics within your personal life or your community.
You will find a definitive resource for building, practicing, and maintaining, both rituals and protocols within your relationship, or group, and without having to go join a secret society, or convincing someone to mentor you on their private secrets for success.
You will learn not only how to build and maintain these relationship dynamics, but how to integrate or isolate them from all the BDSM activities most books focus on.
Through this book you can learn how to do it right without the distracting focus on BDSM play and most importantly…when it’s being done wrong!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David English, also known as ‘Master Bear’, (or just ‘Bear’ in the Colorado BDSM community), has been practicing High Protocol Master/slave lifestyle dynamics since early 2000. His personal practices and rituals within his lifestyle dynamics have evolved over the years, and although he does not practice every ritual or doctrine offered in this book, many of his personal practices have been included as well.
Over the years he has practiced and studied High Protocol lifestyles from many different viewpoints, combining them with many other aspects of the overall BDSM lifestyle, allowing him to come up with these examples of how many define High Protocol within their lives.
Bear has remained an active part of his local BDSM and High Protocol communities where he has always strived to share his knowledge and experience with the community where ever needed.
Among his accomplishments in the Colorado area are founding a High Protocol Educational group, the founder and director of the MAsT: Fort Collins Chapter, (Masters And slaves Together), a founding member of MAsT: Denver-Metro, a founding member and part of the executive committee for the National Leather Association-Colorado, and was a founding member of a Denver based dominant support group.
Author's Book Page > Buy direct & get a signed copy!
August 31, 2025
Recommended for anyone interested in High Protocol
This book exceeded my expectations. It was written with a fluidity that clearly defined and explained major facets of HP D/s, M/s in a layered style. This approach allows even the newest person interested in this alternative lifestyle to get a good grasp of what it entails.
The reasoning and psychology behind each step is explained so well that anyone - D or s - can relate to them. I also found admirable his constant reminders of what can go wrong without strong understanding and ethics.
For those interested, there was an excellent chapter on positions.
Finally, there was not a single hint of disrespect or condescension toward submissives that often sneaks into top written books. All the stars, and many, many thanks to Mr. English.
This book exceeded my expectations. It was written with a fluidity that clearly defined and explained major facets of HP D/s, M/s in a layered style. This approach allows even the newest person interested in this alternative lifestyle to get a good grasp of what it entails.
The reasoning and psychology behind each step is explained so well that anyone - D or s - can relate to them. I also found admirable his constant reminders of what can go wrong without strong understanding and ethics.
For those interested, there was an excellent chapter on positions.
Finally, there was not a single hint of disrespect or condescension toward submissives that often sneaks into top written books. All the stars, and many, many thanks to Mr. English.
April 12, 2020
Wonderful!
This book is a treasure trove of information and ideas about a secretive lifestyle aspect! Completely worth the read and I will be flipping through the pages many more times!
This book is a treasure trove of information and ideas about a secretive lifestyle aspect! Completely worth the read and I will be flipping through the pages many more times!
November 19, 2021
Quite intense
November 20, 2014
Painful to attempt to read, if you are a grammar Nazi move on, don't even open this. No idea who edited it and there is no publisher listed or I'd be giving them a piece of my mind. The author makes it seem like this thing he speaks of is so secretive when there are MAsT (Masters And slaves Together) chapters all over the world. Those of us that practice M/s are more than happy to share what we know with others who are inquisitive, wish to learn or anything else. We aren't some secret society. Never have I heard M/s be called High Protocol Dominance and submission and LOL ... 'HP' is Hewlett-Packard not some secret version of M/s. I've been at this nearly 30 years and I found this book to be silly and laughable. Is there some good and relevant information in it? Yes, there is but it's hard to get through with all the over writing, poor grammar, horrid spacing, misspellings and all the rest. The author puts down the Gorean ways, yet many of the positions he uses are in fact Gorean. If you want a decent read on this topic I suggest a host of other books, for instance those written by Dr. Robert Rubel are awesome, sometimes dry, but still highly informative and very well edited. Other amazing authors to look into are Guy Baldwin (Slavecraft), Dan & Dawn Williams (Living M/s; A Book for Masters, slaves, and Their Relationships), Jack Rinella (Becoming a Slave) and others.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews