My login for my blog which I happen to use is “Master”, a word for which I use to define myself. Each and everyday I login to my blog to make my personal journal entries, but its lead me to wonder as of late what really does the word mean to me..
According to the Webster’s Dictionary the word “Master” and “Mastery” is defined as….
mas·ter
/ˈmæs
tər, ˈmɑstər/ Show Spelled [mas-ter, mah-ster] Show IPA
noun
1.a person with the ability or power to use, control, or dispose of something: a master of six languages; to be master of one’s fate.
2.an owner of a slave, animal, etc.
3.an employer of workers or servants.
4.the male head of a household.
5.a person eminently skilled in something, as an occupation, art, or science: the great masters of the Impressionist period.
mas·ter·y
/ˈmæstəri, ˈmɑstə-/ Show Spelled [mas-tuh-ree, mah-stuh-] Show IPA
noun, plural mas·ter·ies for 1-4.
1.command or grasp, as of a subject: a mastery of Italian.
2.superiority or victory: mastery over one’s enemies.
4.expert skill or knowledge.
In the Virtual World of BDSM, there are several communities I have found which force a “submissive” or “slave” to use the honorific to refer to someone as Master. You find this mostly used in the Gorean Communities, where all Dominants are referred to as Master and Mistress. In some other BDSM themed communities, this set of words might also be used in reference to a set of Dominants.
The question which I ask is this overusing the world, or removing from it what it truly means to stand for. I have always seen the term “Master” or “Mastery” to either reference a higher order of Dominants, those who are experienced in the lifestyle in the real world. It is a sign of respect. I have even often used it as a honorific to describe certainly individuals which I have a lot of respect for, such as “Master Dominic” or “Master Harold”, men which I look up to as personal Mentors to myself, or just overall men I feel deserve the title.
Nowadays in today’s world, you put the title over your head and wham run round saying your a Master. By the definition, it speaks of words like control and leadership, someone with a extensive wealth of knowledge. These are certainly qualities which I would perceive to be with someone who holds such a endearing title. Of course the word used between partners in a relationship is also respected outright.
However, to those who take on the name without actually doing something to earn such a name? I truly feel this cheapens the honorific, and makes it quite less then what it is. Its impossible to really define what levels of leadership and knowledge which should be obtained for someone to go about calling themselves such a name. Who are we to judge others. Personally, I believe it should always be a person’s personal choice whether they are Dominant or submissive/slave, whether or not they use the term.
I have many who call Me “Sir”, and have seen people argue that they feel less a dominant because they are called Sir. Sir is a word, its a word of respect, showing that the person who is calling you such respects you enough to call you Sir. This is really a huge thing when it comes to the lifestyle, and something which should not just be taken for granted. If your one of the ones who seem to be bent on what honorific you are referred to, thinking you deserve such a title, so you should be called it. You should take a moment to really figure out where you fall in the lifestyle.
We are all here with all different ideas and thoughts, and they should always be respected.
