EROS MUTINY proudly presents
Dossie Easton Weekend Workshop
RADICAL ECSTACY
"S/M Journeys To Transcendence"
Dublin, Ireland
Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 July, 2009
Photo by Lydia Daniller
Dossie Easton, renowned sex educator and author of life-changing books such as The Ethical Slut, comes to Dublin this July to share the first Irish presentation of her intensive weekend workshop, Radical Ecstacy.
"In the past, my workshops have been enthusiastically enjoyed by kinksters who want to explore the spiritual dimension in their BDSM lifestyle, and by spiritual practitioners interested in expanding their practice to include BDSM." - Dossie Easton.
Join the mailing list or contact the organisers here.
**LATEST NEWS**
- RADICAL ECSTACY WORKSHOP IS OVER! THANK YOU ALL WHO CAME AND TOOK PART.
- See a 2009 interview with Dossie Easton talking about ethical sluttery on YouTube.
- Check out the current issue of GCN with the Judy Garland cover. It features an interview with Dossie on page 24.
- We are on MySpace but find FaceBook much easier to use! (So try us on Facebook first, thanks).
WHAT IS RADICAL ECSTACY?
For thousands of years, people have searched for transcendant states through physical and emotional journeys. Journeys can be as simple as climbing a mountain or diligently meditating oneself into a state of bliss.
There is an innate desire within us to seek out ecstatic states whether or not we know about any ways to explore them.
In recent times, the growth in Western interest in alternative sexual modes has paralleled an increasing awareness of Eastern practices such as Tantra/yoga, alongside Paganism, spirituality, sex education & experimentation and even atheism or humanism.
The name Radical Ecstacy comes from searching for ecstatic states - states beyond the everyday experience - in radical ways. Well, perhaps 'radical' compared to some people's experiences of sexual energies.
This unique two-day workshop, through various exercises, games, lectures and meditations, gives participants an opportunity to create or uncover patterns for them to develop and grow.
Essentially, the workshop focuses on paying attention to the energies (or whatever word you like to use) that exist between us. We will play with and explore these energies in order to allow them flow more freely.
It is not a dogma-based forum which preaches 'one true way' of finding ecstacy. The book that this workshop got its name from was co-written with an avowed atheist, Janet Hardy, who after having studied some Tantra, eventually came to agree with Dossie that some things (eg. energies) exist beyond our eyes. This is Radical Ecstacy territory.
If that seems ambiguous, imagine how a great sports team manages to connect & triumph together in ways that appear beyond normal human limits. Or an amazing jazz band improvisation. This kind of thing happens every day, if you pay attention to it.
Some people skydive or climb mountains to get a buzz. Other people might do sweat lodges to get ecstatic. What do you do for transcendence?
You can read what people said about the 2008 Radical Ecstacy workshop in London here.
Note that several Tantric teachers attended the London workshop, many of whom commented about how familiar the territory was that Dossie introduced and expanded upon.
Radical Ecstacy is an experiential workshop, rather than a lecture-based event. This entails active participation by attendees, who gain knowledge by direct experience.
WHO IS DOSSIE EASTON?
Dossie Easton is a registered psychotherapist, sex educator and writer who lives near San Franciso, USA.
She has become a leading voice in the emerging area of S/M practice that links kink and spirituality.
A long active sex radical, Dossie has worked at frontline sex information & support clinics since the 1960s and was one of the first members of the Society of Janus.
Dossie's sex information support work and her psychotherapy practice has allowed her to work with a wide range of clients, particularly those of minority sexualities and identities.
An enthusiastic and open kinkster, Dossie has taught and lectured at events & workshops in several countries, including universities. She continues to be a rational and erudite champion for minority rights.
She has written or co-written the well-regarded books The Ethical Slut, The New Bottoming Book, The New Topping Book, When Someone You Love Is Kinky and Radical Ecstacy, all published by Greenery Press.
The Ethical Slut has sold over 50,000 copies and has just been published in an expanded, revised second edition. Additionally, it is becoming a must-read text for new academic studies into alternative/minority sexualities and social settings and new relationship parameters (eg. polyamory).
Dossie also contributes to academic texts, including an essay on Jungian thought and Shadow exploration in Safe, Sane and Consensual (Langdridge, Barker eds. 2007), published by Palgrave Macmillan.
Join the mailing list or contact the organisers here.
Dossie talking about Radical Ecstacy workshop:
"I have always understood sexual energy and spiritual energy to be, not opposed as some religions would have it, but in fact the same experience,
offering incredible journeys into love, connection and spiritual awakening. That understanding stayed with me when I began my explorations of BDSM in 1974 -
whenever play is connected and hearts are open, I find the Life Force charging through my body and my mind, full tilt boogie.
My background includes studying Kundalini yoga since about 1963, so that's the form and imagery for me that can connect SM and Tantra into one ecstatic experience.
In my Radical Ecstasy workshops, I teach ecstatic breath work, visualization, raising Kundalini, open-heartedness and incorporate sensation play and
power exchange as vehicles on which we can travel to expanded states of consciousness. I design my workshops to be accessible for all levels of experience or desire,
which means that each participant is encouraged to discover exactly how far they want to go with each exercise, how close they want to get with any particular individual,
when they want to go on a solo vision quest and when they want to melt together in a partnered journey. Together we create a safe and sacred environment in which
each participant can know for sure that their needs and limits are honored and respected, which in my experience is the safe foundation we all need to open up our hearts
and our consciousness to divine connection.
In the past, my workshops have been enthusiastically enjoyed by kinksters who want to explore the spiritual dimension in their BDSM lifestyle, and by spiritual practitioners
interested in expanding their practice to include BDSM."
WHO SHOULD ATTEND THIS WORKSHOP?
Openminded adults with an awareness of or interest in any of the following:
Tantra, Yoga, Kink, Minority Sexualities (eg. LGBTQ), Power Exchange, Sacred Sex, Self-development, Paganism, Mysticism, Spirituality, Atheism, Holotropic breathwork, Humanism, Self-exploration, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Equality, Psychotherapy, Psychology, Thrilling Adventures, New Frontiers and so forth.
Basically, everyone is welcome as long as they are aware that it can be an intense, fun, emotional and totally worthwhile experience. Please contact us if you have any queries about participating.
Remember, Dossie is a practicing psychotherapist who will carefully set up the workshop with instructions about safety, confidentiality, negotiating personal boundaries and creating a safe space for participants to comfortably explore themselves.
Couples, singles and non-monogamous people of all orientations and identities are all welcome.
No previous experience of Tantra or kink is necessary, just a tolerant outlook. A healthy sense of humour is always helpful.
Participants are encouraged to work with a number of partners, but are permitted to do all the exercises with one partner or solo if they like.
Following some concerned enquiries, we wish it to be known that there is no specific genital sex involved. It is, in essence, an educational workshop.
While Radical Ecstacy is open to the public, it is a confidential event and participants are requested to respect each others' privacy.
Participant may bring toys or items that have significance for them, such as floggers and other sensation devices. Even clothes pegs can be brought!
*Wear loose clothing. Bring a yoga mat or large towel. A pillow brings extra comfort.
*Some light refreshments will be available, but participants may wish to bring their own lunches. Natural, non-processed foods are most appropriate for this kind of activity.
*This event is wheelchair accessible.
**Participants with any medical conditions that could affect them during the workshop are kindly requested to inform the organisers beforehand.**
COST
A deposit of €50 per person will secure you a place on Radical Ecstacy. The remainder must be paid at registration at D4 Hotels on Saturday, 18th July 2009, cash preferred, Euro cheques or PayPal accepted. There is a Bank Of Ireland ATM opposite the hotel entrance.
Alternatively, you can pay entirely in advance. Deposits are nonrefundable. Payment methods upon application.
(Honour-based sliding scale system)
- €180 for those earning €30,000 or more
- €160 for those earning €25,000 or more
- €140 for those earning €20,000 or more
- €120 for those earning under €20,000/full time student*/unemployed**/OAP/retired
Payment methods upon application.
*Valid student card required at registration.
**Please present a recent dole receipt at registration.
Please note: We endeavour to keep prices as low as possible. Whatever profits gained from this event are to be used to fund further visits from foreign sexperts to our shores. This is just the beginning.
Join the mailing list or contact the organisers here.
HOW TO GET THERE
D4 Hotels are at the east end of Pembroke Road where it meets Northumberland Road and Lansdowne Road. Just up from the American Embassy, Ballsbridge village and the RDS.
DART: Get off at Lansdowne Road station. Turn left onto Landsdowne Road. Walk about 5 minutes, through one crossroads, until you come to a main intersection. Hotel on left.
Bus: The following buses all stop right in front of the hotel: 4, 4A, 7, 45, 63, 84.
ACCOMMODATION
Standard rooms are available at D4 Hotels at a special rate for participants of €79 per night for room only. It is high season so this rate is exceptional. Please inform the organisers if you would like to book a room at D4 Hotels.
The D4 Hotel rooms will be reserved under the participant name(s) and are paid for by said participants, not the organisers.
There are several other hotels in the vicinity, including Bewley's Hotel, The Burlington and Morehampton Townhouse B&B.
Budget accommodation info can also be found at hosteldublin.com.
LINKS YOU MAY FIND USEFUL
Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality (a non-profit Society dedicated to advancing knowledge of sexuality)
Irish Equality Authority
British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy (includes listings for Irish members)
American Psychological Association (sexuality page)
Critical Sexology (London-based seminars on gender & sexuality)
Eros Mutiny presents Dossie Easton's Radical Ecstacy Workshop Weekend, Dublin, 18/19 July, 2009.
Website information is subject to change and the laws of evolutionary progress.
Eros Mutiny has organised several public kink workshops in Dublin for educational purposes.
Our events are grounded on the verifiable belief that education about sexuality and promoting healthy emotional communication is beneficial to society. How could it be otherwise?
The paths to the mountaintop are many. The view from the top is the same for all. Unless it happens to be really foggy that day.
We look forward to your participation and to having a splendidly illuminating weekend!
Join the mailing list or contact the organisers here.
Feel free to download and print/distribute A5 flyers to those you know will be interested.
You may also be interested in the long-running & positively reported by national press, monthly kink club, Nimhneach, which is due to occur on July 18.
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