This scroll was originally written by, Master Navarre-, First Captain of Port Kar. It has been edited for purposes of Real Life.

kajira training lecture 1

What Gor is about

Many people have many different ideas as to what Gor is actually all about. Gor is a fantasy world, also known as Counter-Earth, because it is supposed to spin on an orbit that's exactly opposite to the Earth, thus hiding it from us at all times as it sits on the other side of the Sun. The books were written by John Norman, and at the time of this writing, there are 26 of them, some of which are still in print. While they are fantasy novels, the Chronicles of Gor espouse certain philosophies which speak to our inner natures, and for many people, are very natural. These are the things that we're going to look at here.

Gor is about living life to its fullest. That means you don't just read about it, watch it on television, or pretend to do it over a computer. Gor is about living, first hand, experiencing life and immersing in it. In the books, the characters do this constantly, aware of such minute things in their environment as the quality of the air around them, and the difference in gravity between Earth, and Gor.

Gor is about being who and what you are. In the books, those who pretend to be other than who they are, are always discovered in the end, and are the worse for it. It is about finding yourself, no matter what it takes, and then being the best you can be at who and what you are.

Gor is about the exaltation of gender. On Gor it is said, there are two genders, they are not the same. Earth tries to minimize the differences between gender; Gor maximizes them: and not just the physical differences but the mental, emotional, and spiritual differences as well. Men are men, women are women, and one should never confuse the two. A man treats a woman as a woman, and vice versa, giving the respect due if they are both Free, or treating her as a slave, if that is what she is.

On Gor, there is that one primary distinction: that between Free People and kajir, or slaves. A Free Person may command, a slave will obey. This is never to be confused or forgotten.

In the end, you yourself will have to decide what Gor is about for you.

The Difference between BDSM, ircGor, and trueGor

Gor bears little relation to the BDSM groups whence so many come to the Gorean venue. BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, and Masochism) is an Earth lifestyle based on Power Exchange and pursuit of pleasure, while Gor is an lifestyle based on a philosophy of self-actualization, and for many on the ideals of Honor and Self-discipline. Though Goreans may or may not tie other people up, discipline them, and perhaps severly physically punish them, it certainly has nothing to do with sadism or masochism, per se.

Gor is fully aware that most men are Dominant, and most women are submissive, and not only permits these relationships to occur, but insists on it when they are correct and right for the parties involved. On Gor, sadism and masochism are considered perversions, and are very rare. It should be noted that the later books it is quite common to see wanton acts of ruelty directed at the slaves; however, this is presented in a negative, or non-standard light.

Many people come to Gor from BDSM, having glimpsed within BDSM the aspects which Gor exemplifies, discovering that Gor was what they truly desired all along.

On the computer you've discovered ircGor, and ircGor is a computer-specific virtual reality, only existing on the computer. Many of the things you will find and learn in ircGor are very relevant for personal growth, as well as training for being able to practice the Gorean Ways in real life. Bear in mind, of course, that many of the conventions that you'll find in ircGor are not from the books, or even practical in real life. They are computer conventions for the medium that we are using, to make things work well over a computer. Take the time to think about the things you do in ircGor, and determine which things are real and possible in real life, and which are not. Ask questions, if you are unclear on the matter.

Always remember that trueGor is found in a book. All the knowledge about Gor that you will come across which is fantasy-novel specific, is precisely that: just things from a fantasy novel, bearing little relation to real life. While it's all well and good to know the difference between paga and sul-paga (and many Masters will insist that you know this difference), Earth has no paga or sul-paga. In the end, the things which can only be found in trueGor are just gamer props. On the other hand, many of those same things are very handy training tools, and will be used as such in both ircGor and in real life. Remember not to over-do it, and remember the venue of Gor that you are working in and with. Don't let it catch you up in foolishness that makes no sense whatsoever. When in doubt, ask a trusted Master, or better, a number of them, to get advice. [And always remember that there was NO way Norman could have covered EVERY facet of Gorean life. He wrote about the things that furthered his story lines and there are HUGE chunks missing in his narratives. As an example, children are discussed, in general, but there is no specific mention of how they are raised, schools, etc.]

The Difference between a Dom and a Master

In the BDSM venue there are Doms and Dommes, which refer to a male and female 'Top', in relation to a 'bottom' or 'sub'. The difference between a Dom and a Master is profound and absolute. A Dom only appears to be in control of a situation, in reality he is not. The BDSM venue uses 'safe-words' by which the sub (submissive) may indicate that what the Dom is doing is unacceptable, hurting, or just simply something that the sub does not wish to do. In Gor, there are no safe-words. The Master is truly in charge, in all particulars. The Master owns the slave, the Master makes the decisions, the Master commands, and the slave obeys. There is a vast difference here in the level of power which a Master wields, versus a Dom, and so there is a commensurate level of responsibility that a Master has, which a Dom does not. A Dom is only pretending to be in control, to satisfy sexual appetite, while a Master actually is in control, satisfying not on sexual appetite but emotional and spiritual needs as well.

A Master owns the entire kajir, not just her time in bed. He owns her body, her mind, her emotions, her very soul, and yes, even her thoughts. His ownership is total and absolute, she belongs to him. Likewise, his responsibility is absolute, and it is critical that the Master be both honorable, and intelligent. A stupid man cannot be a proper Master to kajir, he would not understand the fullness of his responsibility along with the power. The kajir's very life is in the hands of the Master.

This is also why you will see, from time to time, a seemingly amazing amount of contempt from Gorean Masters for BDSM Doms. This is because the Doms pretend to the control and power and responsibility of the Master, yet they are just puppets of the submissive, who actually has the last word.

The Gorean Master is the real thing, accept no substitutes.


Nature and purpose of a kajira:

A kajira is a slave, and yet, a very special sort of slave, and not to be confused with the usual understandings of what a slave is. A normal slave has no choice, makes no decisions -- their likes or dislikes, opinions and whatnot, are meaningless because they have none which have not been given to them. Their love is worthless, because they have no choice in what they do or whom they love. They do as commanded, nothing more and nothing less. A kajira is also a slave, but a kajira is a slave by choice, and therein lies all the difference. A kajira loves deeply and fully, not only as commanded but because it is so absolutely a part of her. The essence of a kajira is devotion, nothing less is worthy of her, nothing less is acceptable to the Master. The kajira makes one choice, she may choose who her Master is. After that, the choices are his to make, it is well if the kajira chooses wisely. Her will becomes the will of the Master, his whims become her ardent desires. She is obedient in all things, and strives to always be pleasing to him. He in his turn, owns her, provides for her, ensures that she is the best that she can be, teaches her and upholds her, fulfills her need for her slavery even as she fulfills his Mastery.

The nature of ritual and symbolism, and why it is important

For this, I'm going to direct your attention to a quote from the Chronicles of Gor, John Norman explains this well.

24:213 Ritual is important. It is fulfilling and meaningful. It is beautiful. It is symbolic, mnemonic, and instructive. It establishes protocols. It expresses, defines, and clarifies conditions. It is essential to, and ingredient within, civilization. Similarly, do not overlook the significance and value of symbolism.

In Gor, you will often encounter things which are done as a ritual, or in a ceremonial fashion. Don't disregard these things. Instead, seek to find their meanings, and then when you perform them yourself, bear in mind what the ritual means, each step along the way. Each step should have a purpose, because otherwise it is meaningless and truly a waste of everyone's time.

Proper decorum:

When in Gor, it is appropriate for everyone, Free and slave alike, to be courteous when dealing with one's peers and those below you. This cannot be overstated. Courtesy gives rise to basic respect, and as you respect others, so you in turn will be respected. Basic courtesy goes a very long way in Gor, whatever venue of Gor you happen to be in. [As My ex-FC's grandmother was found of saying: "politeness is the grease that permits the free working of society."]

Likewise, whenever a kajir speaks to a Free Person, always use the proper form of address in every sentence. Thus, respond with 'Yes Master' or 'No Mistress', not simply 'Yes' or 'No'. When a kajir is serving or speaking with a given Master or Mistress, it is expected that she focus completely on that Free Person. Her attention on the Master or Mistress is absolute.

The Seven Purposes of a Collar

Why do you wear a collar? Why bother with it at all? In Gor, there are seven common purposes to a collar, each one is valid, and many have additional reasons to place a kajir in a collar.

1. Visibly designates a girl as slave
2. Impresses a girl's slavery upon her, makes her more aware of her slavery
3. Identifies her Master, Mistress
4. Makes it easier to leash her
5. Makes it easier to put her in various ties/restraints
6. Because it is beautiful
7. Because it pleases the Owner to do so