EMPTY SPACE ~ Compensation is a means of shifting power from one less strong trait to a trait or characteristic within the psyche more capable of dealing with a situation with the intent to achieve or maintain a measure of balance of the psyche. If the individual determines that it is unable to compensate during an experience sufficient to maintain mental balance or general necessary mental health then the individual may subconsciously elect to withdraw from the compensation process and de-compensate as a next necessary step toward survival. This is considered to be an extreme measure resulting from significant trauma or distress on the individual, within current society the most common trauma which triggers de-compensation is related to physical, sexual, mental, spiritual, emotional, verbal violence and abuse during childhood where the child is presented with potential psychic destruction when their self is unable to manage or compensate for the extremes of the situation or trauma they are experiencing. This 'subconscious' choice is a fundamental survival technique to prevent the 'situation or event' from causing irreparable mental damage or ability to remain 'sane'. At this point the child removes their 'self' from access to the situation, this is commonly refereed to as a dissociative state (removal from society of the self). The child 'fragments' their ego into at least one additional part and walls off their 'core self' into a separate identity. In this way the child can undergo or experience the event or trauma without this 'core self' being exposed to additional damage. The child views this creation as a way of 'solving' or controlling the experience. The 'alter' or fragment 'takes the blow' or experiences the assault or event FOR the self while not allowing the enormity of the event to reach the self. They - the true they - are not present, and that which is assaulting them is forbidden access, denied the ability to continue damage. This is a way to leave when it is physically impossible to escape by deciding to cease sharing of the self, to exit 'presence'. If the trauma is an ongoing process the child may experience this fragmentation process several times as the 'self' produces alternatives designed to manage or deal with specific situations as they occur. This multiple fragmentation we sometimes call multiple personalities which in its most severe forms is considered a significant mental disorder requiring professional assistance to 'reintegrate' the selves back into the central or 'core self'. True multiple personality disorder is quite uncommon although milder forms of 'fragmentation defense' are much more common. One of the indicators of full personality separation is memory separation, gaps or empty voids. Any individual experiencing gaps or voids in their 'linear' memory tracts should seek out the assistance of a professional who specializes in the treatment of MPD. There are numerous other indicators of MPD and anyone who believes they might have some form of MPD should investigate some of the comprehensive literature or books on the topic to educate themselves and obtain more detailed information. It is estimated that up to 85% of the people involved in the D/s BDSM lifestyles are 'survivors' of physical, mental, sexual, spiritual, verbal, emotional or other violent abuse and assault experiences. The lifestyle offers many an opportunity to 'directly' manage or control the type of forces which have been used to injure and damage them in the past. By facing and grappling with difficult or intolerable experiences the individual finds a way to 'free' their inner self from a lifetime of defensive expression. Part of this defense is within the mechanism of accessing 'space' or alternative levels of consciousness or awareness. Many people find they have a natural ability to 'enter space' at the first sign of interaction. Space provides a barrier between the self which is experiencing the event directly and the self which contains the fragile structures of the ego. To some extent a person experiencing space will be socially removed from the event, or in a limited emotional detached observer to the event state. Space itself provides a sense of safety and control for the individual, when the scene is intensified or heightened the individual may proceed to stronger (deeper) levels of space to compensate or manage the additional stimuli. Stimulation beyond the range of space can send the individual into a full dissociative state, or total separation of the ego from consciousness awareness. This 'empty space' will appear as a non-responsive state, or 'the lights are on but no one is home'. It is important to remember that this state can occur without what an observer might consider 'significant' stress or stimulation. The measure of when to engage empty space or disassociation is on the inside of the individual and is unique to their composition, lifetime experiences and responses. Disassociation is enormously dangerous. The appearance of vacancy (empty space) may indicate the presence of MPD and hidden triggering mechanisms (items no Dominant can control, placing additional scening in the range of potential serious danger to the submissive) and should be viewed as important and serious. What is traumatic to one individual might not be recognizable as traumatic to anyone else. Any possibility that MPD might be present should halt scening and encourage the person experiencing empty space to seek out a qualified professional who specializes in identifying MPD and treating it. Within any scene both partners should remain conscious and aware of all that is taking place. A person should not be passing out or have memory gaps. It is important to remember that a Dominant or submissive who is in 'space' will remember differently, or that space will alter how that memory 'feels'. Some people find that 'emotion' or 'release' floods them when a scene ends, swamping or overwhelming them. This emotional swamping is a release from space, or a return to full 'up' experiencing, this occurs when the separation of space is removed and the 'self' or awareness unifies or comes together. This emotional response is one of the greatest reasons for recognizing the importance of aftercare for both the Dominant and the submissive. It is not the purpose of this article to provide all information that is available on this topic, but to compliment, amplify and supplement other texts and resources. You are urged to read all the available material, learn as much as possible to fit your individual needs. It is not the intent of the author of this article to provide professional services or advice, if legal or expert assistance is required by you then you should seek out the services of a competent professional. The author of this article shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly by the information contained above.

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