Unpopular opinion: Even with people around, ultimately we're alone with these brains of ours that have not adapted to the way we live life today, in a world where success isn't reached through working together but only through self-preservation. Of course there'll be distractions, a new partner, a Read more… baby, a pet, a ***r group, and suddenly we don't feel alone and feel like we're needed / wanted / loved. They will be used to give us hope or delusion in order to feed the incomprehensible will to live.
Something I read a few days ago stuck with me: Human beings separated from experiencing life the moment they used words to describe it, making it something they talk about instead of living it. Well, we can tell ourselves stories of love, of fulfilling lives, of connections. But they're just that, stories.

:1790244258,4443450,We keep the box closed because a closed box holds the infinite, flawless potential of Schrödinger’s cat—or in this case, a perfect, simulated partner.

[...] An algorithm can match preferences, keywords, and curated profiles, but it can never calculate the chemical Read more… friction of two bodies in a room, the messy vulnerability of shedding roles, or the raw, unpredictable somatic tension that makes a physical connection meaningful.
In my own little thought experiment some days ago, I went one step further.
Say you have been sent to a distant planet, just you on your own. You know you will never return to Earth and you will live out your days alone up there in space. All you'd have would be your imagination. But through this imagination you could live out the most fulfilling, enticing and enrichening experiences. With enough faculty of imagination, your hand would feel like your simulated / imagined partner's hand, so the physical part could be replaced to some extent, if more was needed there would be high quality toys. This might be an extreme situation, but it shows that it is possible if there is no alternative.
Engaging in this approach means you can have it all without having to go through any kind of curating, profile studying, disappointing encounters, heartbreak. Admittedly, the prerequisite for living out your relationships and sex life this way is a high level of resignation and indifference. But once you've reached this state, wouldn't it be the softest and most comforting place to land? No more outside source needed, just you and the most powerful human ability. Thus, the box is unopened and opened at the same time.

:1789937614,7800460,I think that ego and pride were truly the catalysts of modern society. They were and are necessary for technology and protection to exist. So, in a nutshell, they are or were necessary for us to even have this conversation, enjoy freedom, and be safe for long enough to Read more… think about how it negatively effects. I'm not sure if that makes sense or if I explained my thoughts very well, but ego and pride are necessary, unfortunately. Maybe we can teach the next generation to use it better but necessary it is.
I don't disagree with you in that ego and pride massively pushed human progress. However, I would add that this was one potential way towards it, and a high-s***d one at that. Another one could have been empathy and benevolence. I believe and know for myself that progress through wanting the best for everyone (and thus including but not mainly myself) can be a very strong motor both in an individual as well as a society. So maybe we could teach the next generation about that.

What a clever move to reach out! I hope hearing all those encouraging words helps a bit.

I fully hear what everyone is saying and yes I'm sure he had this personal issues. But just for a sec I'd like to consider this: his behaviour sucks. Have your issues, fine, but don't let others suffer Read more… because of them. Don't fucking suddenly sit up, realise you're triggered/exhausted/whatever, take a deep breath, end the situation in a decent and warm way, take the person home (very well done, I agree with you!!) and then reflect, explain, soothe. I don't say this lightly, but can't we all finally find strategies that help us to treat people acceptably even if we suffer from a personal disorder or are neurodivergent.
End of rant.
But honestly, it might help to allow yourself to feel ***ed of. And then perhaps be forgiving and empathetic with yourself and him. All the best to you and your sweet heart.

:1787834837,5922011,Sleep Token is trash tbh
Harsh but I cannot disagree. I'm a bit surprised that this counts as metal.
So if anything that is kind of metal goes: I've always dreamed of having sex to Monster Magnet. That voice..

:1788581690,7893004,Ladies,
I find this especially interesting as I have been involved in this lifestyle since 2013 and have had several submissive women in my life since then and this thread is the first I’m hearing of this. I’m not here questioning this. Just trying to understand a bit Read more… more.

Recently I keep hearing it’s an emotional release. And it leaves me wondering what type of emotions are you purging? Is it helping you release negative emotions from prior experiences? And if not, what do you think might be the common denominator between you ladies?

I believe in always evolving and learning and this ***ked my curiosity.

I look forward to any positive feedback.
I'd be surprised if there was a 'common denominator'. After all, each person comes with their own stories and neural pathways to a scene.
Speaking for myself, it tends to happen when old wounds have been triggered and have then been held or counteracted by the interaction with a partner. So far, this mostly has happened in vanilla moments but a few times through BDSM play. So to answer your question: I wouldn't say it's about releasing negative emotions but rather experiencing positive emotions for the first time which leads to a short overwhelming wave of gratitude. But again, this might be completely different for someone else!

Also, @chubiebunie13 thanks for this brilliant question! Crying has become my new favourite kind of somatic release since I've started IFS therapy and as you say, once the tears have ebbed away, you find yourself in the calmest, most peaceful place imaginable.

:1788419257,2245829,I think there are so-called Yoni De-armorment practices (which may or may not be Tantra massage related), but I too am curious if there are some specific (named) rituals/techniques for this, rather than calling it "tantra". 🤔

Of course I couldn't resist and had Read more… to do a quick research and came across a great tantric practitioner called Helena Nista on youtube and she describes how to go about a self-dearmouring practice. It sounds absolutely beautiful and if that could be done with a partner in a loving and trusting relationship, it must be extra special. It's a 13-minutes video, so perhaps that could be a starting point for you?

@arnhem961 I've participated in tantric practices in the past and found them incredibly powerful, the connection I felt to my partner or rather the love I felt for him and from him was honestly just blissful. Of course, the requirement is to be open to these kind of energy work practices, so people Read more… like Mike7 probably would miss out on these experiences, I'd assume. It involved pranic elements like synchronised breathing or movement, so the focus was only on the energy between people. But there also were exercises with physical touch. For me, it felt like these two approaches complemented each other, but I'm sure focusing on one of the two would be just as intense.
I will have to look into de-armorment in the future, so thank you for bringing this up! For now, it's just about love and care and tenderness. A very nice thing for a change.

:1788341812,1271702,I work with energetic. Try breathing to your yoni. Sitting comfy. Breath in slightly tighten your yoni. Breath out release her completely and keep your breath 10% ish deeper than usual for 10-12 breaths. Focus on the release being a letting go. In your mind it’s a pumping Read more… motion. ( men can do this too but better for men to be sitting on a chair with treaties hanging. ) This promotes grounding and self awareness.
This actually sounds beautiful. Thank you!

:1788354438,2038684,Ngl that sounds really retarded
This actually made me laugh. And honestly, everybody is completely entitled to his or her opinion. And 'retarded', what a funny word to use! Thanks for this little giggle!

:1788341830,7006334,PLEASE be careful especially with steaming etc. I ve known quite a few women who fell for all kinds of woowoo techniques and ended up with UTIs and other gyne issues 😥 in my opinion and experience, the best you can do for your intimate health is trust that your body knows Read more… how to “clean” itself, and any issues shall be solved by a doctor 🤷‍♀️
Thank you for the advice! I've read about several potential issues with steaming, including burns and disrupting the balance within. So I'm thinking more of a rather superficial, warmish and short steaming. More sauna than deep cleanse as the idea is not to stress her out but just pamper her.

And I'd actually prefer answers from women about this, but of course I can't stop men from answering and telling a woman what to do and how it should feel because they think they are experts..