Thanks bliz for your comments that opened this page. Very well stated.

How important is discipline (rules, protocols, etc.) in a BDSM relationship? Is it just something that you only want to impose in the play room or should it be part of the whole lifestyle.
As far as rules and protocols go, I believe they are needed in some form or another in any BDSM relationship. To what extent they are employed depends on the type of relationship the couple has decided to have.

The gorean style does outwardly seem to promote rules and protocols to a greater extent then other BDSM styles. I wonder if that is based upon the perception that gorean protocols are silly, or if there is truely a difference in this regard.

I say this because I have known some old school Masters that had an awful lot of rules and protocols a girl had to learn. Thinking back they sure seemed as complicated and as numerous as any gorean Masters.

For me personal discipline is the foundation that a D/s relationship must naturally be built upon. Without it I can not see how anyone could be having anything other then kinky sex.

This probably more then anything else shows my gorean side.

If a Master does not have the discipline to control himself then he sure should not be accepting an exchange of power that would be putting him in control of someone else.

A slave must also have the discipline to allow herself to be taught otherwise her Master is wasting his time. The old saying "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make her drink" applies.

Many times I have heard people say, I can make her learn, I would have to disagree. You may make her "do" but to really learn is something she has to want to do herself.

That brings up another topic:

"I don't want her to think, I just want her to do what she is told".

Your thoughts?