Sacred Kink: The Eightfold Paths of BDSM and Beyond

by Lee Harrington

Some of us have had a moment in the middle of fun and sexual exploration that lead to connecting with the divine or having an epiphany about life that was far from expected. Others have been drawn to the possibilities of finding universal truths between the sheets or in the dungeon for all of their lives. Some are aware that their bodies hold the key towards knowing their spirits, but don't know which doors of desire to unlock. Others have glimpsed the limitless where they have been told that only debauchery lives, and are looking to go back for more.

This and more is Sacred Kink.

Modern tools of BDSM, fetishism, kink and erotic adventuring have roots that go far back into history, tools that have been used for reaching altered states of consciousness, creating spiritual epiphanies, and changing lives. Sacred Kink: The Eightfold Paths of BDSM and Beyond explores the sacred roots of kink tools, and the ways kink can be used today for sacred workings. Explore and find practical tools involving:

- Negotiation, Communication and Aftercare for Sacred Kink
- Catharsis, Top Trances and Exorcising Personal Demons
- Ordeals, Earning Leathers, and Ending Relationships
- Energetically Transmitted Diseases and Solo Sex Magic
- Creating Ritual Play Spaces and Dedicated Tools
- Developing Rituals for Dominance and Submission
- Pain Processing and the Dialysis of Desire
- Erotic Shapeshifting and Possession Workings
- The Spiritual Calling of Mastery and Slavery
- Kink and Chemistry Ethics
- ...and so much more.

Whether you're a seasoned explorer or have never delved into the depths of adventurous sex and personal truth, you hold in your hand a roadmap, a set of keys, and an invitation to journey on your own path of Sacred Kink.

Genres: BDSM, Sexuality, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Transgender, Magic

419 pages, Paperback

First published August 19, 2011

About the author

Lee Harrington is an internationally known sexuality, relationships, and personal authenticity educator. Having taught in all 50 states and across 6 countries, he brings a combination of playful engagement and thoughtful academic dialogue to a broad audience. An award-winning author and editor on human gender, sexual, and sacred experience, his books include “Traversing Gender: Understanding Transgender Journeys,” “Sacred Kink: The Eightfold Paths of BDSM and Beyond,” and “Shibari You Can Use: Japanese Rope Bondage and Erotic Macramé,” among many other titles. He has been blogging online since 1998, and been teaching worldwide since 2001. You can check out Lee’s adventures, as well as his regular podcast, tour schedule, free essays, videos, and more, over at http://www.PassionAndSoul.com.

Reviews

[Cecilia Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a finalist in the NLA:International writing awards, in particular for the Geoff Mains Nonfiction Book Award. I read it as part of that awards jury, and here's what I wrote about this book in particular in my wrapup review of all three finalists at my blog:

The most difficult book of the three to “judge,” because it is the most likely to be viewed differently in the eye of the beholder, is Lee Harrington’s “Sacred Kink.” Among the people Lee thanks in the opening of the book are, “my fantastic content editors who helped me make sure this all made sense and that I did not make anything up.” For those who are skeptics about the spiritual world, the entire exercise must seem “made up.” But if there is any doorway to allow skeptics to be ambushed by inexplicable spiritual epiphanies, BDSM play is probably one of the keenest.

I, on the other hand, am a believer in spiritual pursuits, so I found this to be a delightful book. Tricky, esoteric concepts are brought to light in clear, readable language. Harrington brings together a ton of research and knowledge on traditional sacred practices that relate to (or can even be considered precursors to) modern BDSM, and on modern BDSM practices that can act as doorways into altered states and spiritual enlightenment. The book is an achievement, an incredible distillation of knowledge, a PhD thesis on Sacred Kink.

[Cwn_annwn_13 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 out of 5 stars

[ModernDayArachne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is just *chef's kiss* and my rating is more like 4.5 (but we aren't allowed halves) - it was what I was personally looking for in my next step of both my physical and spiritual journey along the various paths.

I appreciated the esoteric nature and the way that Lee was able to bring a variety of tools and methods into play. I appreciated being able to hear and read about a variety of experiences and I also appreciated hearing about difficulties and the harsher truths. There was a lot of ethical considerations and strong proponents of your choice and agency being respected. Quite a few good and thoughtful questions to set one off on their journey and it was really just lovely to hear about considerations made for those with physical and mental conditions (especially when they're chronic conditions). I ALSO really appreciated the resources in the back of the book for further research - as someone who learns a lot by reading, it really whets my appetite to be given a resource list and list of books to actually go and learn more from.

The only reason I knocked half a star off was that there were certain paragraphs that seemed to be copy/pasted from the one above it on the same page and minor technical/grammar errors - they weren't large enough to spoil the meaning for me, but it could have been just a bit stronger if those minor errors weren't there. All in all, really really excellent book

[Robert Hudder · Rating 3 out of 5]

For folks who want to explore spirituality along with their kink, this is a framework for that type of exploration. A fair amount of woo along with practical ways of achieving those explorations. Reflecting on some of the practices I am familiar with, you can understand how some folks can use them to experience a more spiritual side. There is full acknowledgment that some of these paths will appeal to some while others may be a turn-off.

There are questions that accompany a description of each path that can help find the one that resonates with the reader. At the worst, this book has helpful questions to sort out where you stand on spirituality and the different paths to kink. The woo can be ignored and the questions are provocative enough to give some pause.

At best, you could find a path that expands your attachment and experience of kink. The questions are conveniently packaged in an appendix and worth a look.

[W.L. Bolm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good resource for sacred kink; it has enough information for beginners in sacred sexuality to start to learn the ropes while containing enough detail and applications for those more experienced in ritual or sacred sexuality to explore in more depth. It is also helpful that this book doesn't cover just one spiritual path; by leaving practice details more open and including information about potential applications/spirit work from different paths, the approaches within take on a more universal aspect. There are also resources in the back of the book, including an extensive reading list.

Whether you are reading this for academic or practical reasons, this book is very approachable and understandable and a good addition to any kink/magical/sex positive library.

[Lady V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this wasn't the book I thought it would be / what I was looking for, it is an excellent, honest, and detailed exploration of the special interraction between kink and spirituality. I wanted to give this book extra bonus points for its research, stating the difficult and unpopular, and for being able to notice the little things that are often omitted in other similar works.

[Jan Jaap]

This looks very interesting.
Found it in this bookshelve
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... .

loc no results

http://www.mysticproductionspress.com... search
http://www.mysticproductionspress.com... Spirits of desire

[Andrew Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this book in small bites as it best to let it sink in slowly. It has really made me think. I have used Harrington's work to branch of in other directions which have been fruitful.

[Taylor Ellwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I most enjoyed about this book was Lee's efforts to provide detailed information about each path and create a framework for people from multiple belief systems to engage in the incorporation of kink to their spirituality. Lee's expertise as both a sex educator and spiritual teacher shows through in this book time and time again. He provides excellent examples and also useful definitions for understanding each path. I found a lot in this book that I know I can apply to my own spiritual practices and I think anyone else would find a similar treasure trough.

[Colleen Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very focused on out of body spiritual experiences. Many resources for that. Not 100% in line with my personal ethics about aspecting, but definitely covers ethics appropriately. If you are specifically looking to explore for out of body experience through kink, this lays out some varied and interesting ways to do it. If you are looking for broad sweeping ideas about making sex sacred, not so much.

[Jamie]

When I say #readeverything, my curiosity will always take me down interesting paths. On the one hand, love the sacred + sexuality mindset. Soooo intense and earnest though. Not my kind of kink—need more playfulness.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge index of ways to think about and apply sacred kink. Definitely a book to read over and over in pieces.