LordCane69

What does it means to be a Master? In my opinion a Master is one who challenges you to be all that you are, to be all that you can be. A Master is an alpha male who like the Clan Chieftain is responsible for protecting and leading his submissive(s)/slave(s) and raising their standard of living to a better place in their lives. He can sometimes be ultimately responsible for the shelter, food, and clothing, education, and overall well being of those in His care.

It is a simple arrangement that works both ways. For a good Master will be one who looks to improve their own well-being. However, there are also bad Masters who prey upon subs/slaves and uses and abuses them. Usually they are self-centred, immature, and/or sadistic in their demeanour and cannot always be identified at first blush. The abusive Master will suck (not in a good way) the subs/slaves dry of their energy, joy, and resources. It is a one way street and a dangerous one if you are in any way unable to protect yourself from physical, and mental abuse...and even often times even spiritual abuse. The scars of a bad Master can run very deep and leave many worse off and would have been better off never walking the same path.

To recognise an evolved Master, they will have some mastery of life, or some major achievements that have the recognition of people in the community...be it personal achievements in the body, mind, or spirit and perhaps and most often all of these. In my experience, I've seen many Masters who were renowned in martial arts or physical fitness; highly intelligent, and achieved many results (i.e. not just academic letters behind their name but have risen through the ranks in service to others); and, have a personal mastery within a philosophy of life, metaphysics, and/or are in tune with their higher spirit.

As a Master they will have a high regard for the safekeeping and sexual pleasuring of their submissive/slave. An evolved Master will train the sub/slave on ways to improve their lovemaking and on communications, and reciprocally on how to improve serving the needs of the Master, etc. It is a 'service' oriented relationship with the Master taking the lead on setting the example or providing the direction.

A slave/sub may depart at any moment when they feel that the relationship has served it's purpose and intent. There is no bad feelings, may be some sadness but largely overshadowed by the new found love and joy that has come into their lives from lessons learned. A Master learns much from those in his care...they learn more about themselves and their strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots. Conversely, a Master is in his right to dismiss a slave/sub when they believe that no further learning can be achieved; or, the relationship has stopped evolving; and/or, has become dysfunctional to either or both parties. However, in several cases the Master-sub/slave relationship has evolved into a true loving relationship, marriage or hand-fasting.

In the BDSM world these days, I see many who adopt the title of Master as if it were a degree or something to be bestowed upon them because they have a computer, or a willing sub/slave, bought a few sex toys, and read a couple of books, or watched 9 1/2 Weeks, or the Story of O. Several here on CollarMe, are in my estimation perhaps 'young dominants' but have a long way to go before they have earned the right to use the title "Master".

Call me Old Guard, or whatever you wish...but an evolved Master in my definition is one who has lived through a number of challenges, probably is over 40 years of age, has a lot of life experiences, is in fit athletic or 'close to it' shape, has been a high achiever in many facets, and has superb skills in self discipline and can read people and knows what they want and have the savvy to help support the slave/sub to blossom into being their best. They also usually come with good references. :)