Page 8 - Bondage Basics: Naughty Knots and Risque Restraints

Foreword
I first met Morpheous a few years back at his local breakfast haunt in Toronto. As he approached,
clad in all black from head to toe, I felt a powerful presence descend upon me. I’m unsure if it was
his height, his saunter, or simply his energy, but there was something undeniably and unsurprisingly
dominant about the way he carried himself. When he reached out to shake my hand and introduce
himself with a smile, however, his decided strength was immediately overshadowed by his warmth
and mild-mannered nature. It took only a short moment for me to appreciate that beneath the
ostensibly intense exterior was a man of complexity, humility, and kindness.
Bondage Basics reflects this complexity of character, offering a balance of humor, playfulness,
education, sensuality, eroticism, and practical advice for beginner and intermediate rope play.
Morpheous brilliantly weaves personal anecdotes together with standard best practices to offer a
thorough exploration of bondage as a form of art and pleasure. From the onset, it is apparent that
the author has put great personal care into the text in the same fashion as he would when playing
out a scene with one of his rope bunnies.
When I first opened this book, I was struck by the beautiful images and was surprised to see a few
familiar faces . . . and rear ends! Morpheous clearly had a hand in selecting the models and styling
the shoot. And though the aesthetic appeal of Bondage Basics is indisputable, it is the text that is
most meaningful, thoughtful, and moving. Reading this book, I couldn’t help but develop a more
profound appreciation for rope play and its expressive bond with BDSM. While I have always loved
being tied up and have long considered power play (see page 83) the most delightful of all sexual
indulgences, I was admittedly a rope play neophyte before sinking my teeth into Morpheous’ latest
book. Upon completion of the text, not only have I been inspired to replace my silk scarves and
designer neckties with a selection of soft, pink nylon rope, but the author’s review of the fascinating
history associated with this “loving, sensual, and erotic activity” has broadened my perception of
rope bondage in terms of art, pleasure, and cultural practice.
The public’s interest in kink has also broadened over the last few years with the rise of BDSM-
themed books and movies. And while these fictional stories have sparked an important dialogue
about consent, relationships, and kinky sex play, those fictional accounts offer little to no direction
with regard to the implementation of kink. That’s where Bondage Basics comes in.
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Though I had read and studied hundreds of sexuality books before reviewing Bondage Basics,
I still learned a great deal from Morpheous’ new material. From reviewing standard terminology
and offering sage advice for effective communication, to providing step-by-step introductions for
knot tying and negotiating boundaries, Bondage Basics guides the reader on an exciting and kinky
journey. Each chapter builds upon the former in a natural and easy-to-follow sequence. And
because the risk associated with rope play may be higher than other forms sexual activity, the
author complements every move, technique, and strategy with sensible safety advice, which is
sure to be relevant to newbie and experienced kinksters alike.
In addition to offering a more expansive perspective on bondage, Morpheous, who is renowned for
valuing and protecting his personal privacy, also offers readers a rare glimpse into his personal story.
I’m not the least bit surprised to learn that he grew up on a farm—he certainly doesn’t mind getting
his hands more than a little dirty—and I’m equally unsurprised to discover that the world’s largest
bondage event, which he launched over a decade ago, is free to attend, as he has a reputation for
his generosity of spirit, time, and resources. The author’s passion for bondage may have made him
an involuntary innovator in his early years of experimentation, but Bondage Basics will ensure that
Morpheous’ cultural influence endures as readers are inspired to carve out their own paths and
develop their own meaningful innovations.
Morpheous is not just a kink educator and sought-after expert; he’s also a collector, connoisseur,
and trailblazer in the field of rope bondage and BDSM. It is an honor and pleasure to both preview
and offer a small contribution to such an important and beautiful project.
Read with pleasure!
—Jessica O’Reilly, Ph.D.
Author of The Little Book of Kink and The New Sex Bible
www.SexWithDrJess.com
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