Chapter 11 Summary and Analysis

This chapter begins by noting the emotional and physical highs experienced simultaneously with pain. Since endorphins are released when the body feels, the authors note the link between these high feelings and sadomasochism. Additionally, the authors note the anticipation involved in spankings can create a psychological effect as well, thus heightening the experience. They describe a phenomenon known as 'flying,' or an altered state of consciousness brought about through sexual means. The authors note similar situations occurring in Tantric Hinduism, Vajrayana Buddhism, and Taoism.

'Flying' occurs when an individual goes beyond the pain of the physical body to experience a sense of higher being. Often, these individuals feel free of their body as though they are flying, become less aware of surroundings, lose perception of reality, and become disconnected. On occasion, these individuals also report variations of lightness and darkness...