Spiritual experiences and altered states of consciousness – Parallels between BDSM and Christianity
Sexualities October 12, 2020 Charlotta Carlström 13 citations
Spirituality in BDSM practice and charismatic Christianity share common denominators such as power dynamics, pain rituals, and altered states of consciousness. Based on a five-year ethnographic study and in-depth interviews with 29 self-defined BDSM practitioners in Sweden, the article explores how informants interpret spirituality in BDSM and draw parallels to Christian belief. The findings suggest that both contexts involve similar spiritual experiences, broadening the understanding of spirituality across secular and religious domains.