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PANDORA IS...

Pandora is
The first woman
Giver of ALL
Initiator to new experience
Patron Saint of those
Who explore living fully
And knowing truth
Pandora is a group of healers and teachers
Formed to promote community among
Those who seek to explore
The pathway of erotic spirituality
And spiritual eroticism
Pandora celebrates the notion
That sexuality and laughter
Are powerful spiritual pathways
Pandora is expressed in the creation
Of environments dedicated
To nurturance and pleasure
Pandora is clothing optional
And openly erotic
Where situation permits
Pandora values being in experience
Rather than belief in ideology
Pandora is a community who know how
To play together and who
Help others learn to play too

HISTORY, BRIEFLY

In June 1993 a group of people came together in response to the following invitation:
"This is an invitation to join a select group of adult women and men in exploring sexuality as a pathway to enlightenment.
We are looking for a few people to join with us in exploring the mysteries of sexually-based ritual experience...as we encounter ourselves...as we encounter each other...as we encounter forces beyond all that...as we play at the edge of bliss, risking both pleasure and pain, while witnessing life."
Included in this invitation was a rendering of the ASSUMPTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS you will find if you read on.
To a smaller group a more demanding invitation was directed; the invitation to become leaders in the community.
The response to both was greater than and lesser than we hoped.
More people who wanted to play, but fewer who were strong in their commitment and ability to take leadership. So we have learned to grow slowly. But, when all was said and done, enough real people came on line to launch our exploration and begin to learn from our experiences.
We are now at the next phase of our development. Our community has grown large enough to spawn new communities who also call themselves Pandora. And we know there are others out their who would like to benefit from what we have learned. What we will ask of you in return is to help us learn more.
This web page is the hub of a larger and more diverse experiment in building erotic spiritual community. If you try out our ideas please communicate your results to our e-mail address. If you don't agree with us please send us respectful criticism and we will review it.
There is more to our history than that, but let's hold that for another time.

CREATING EROTIC SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY; How do you do it?"

By creating a container in which it is safe to depart from the expectations of the dominant culture.

This "new" culture also has bounderies; they are simply different ones from the dominant culture. This paradigm change allows many people to have a "new" experience.

While some new experiences are pleasureable, others are painful. The task of building authentic relationships is fraught with both. To build erotic spiritual community this level of integrity is required.

ASSUMPTIONS AND EXPECTATIONS OF THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE IN PANDORA ACTIVITIES

RADICAL, RECIPROCAL RESPECT:

It seems likely that you have already explored radical views of life/sexuality and that you can extend reciprocal respect to others who have also done so regardless of differences in ideas, personal experience, sexual self-expression and temperament.

BRING YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY WITH YOU:

You can get beyond victimhood/exploitation and are able to bring your personal safety with you so you are able to experience intimacy, whether pleasurable or painful, without precipitously abandoning your agreements.

WELCOME RESPONSIBILITY:

You welcome responsibility for yourself and others in order to remain present in current experience.

BE HONEST:

Your approach to this particular experience will be characterized by openness, honesty, and a willingness to risk in the face of uncertainty.

SHAMANIC PLAY:

Welcome the opportunity to participate in ritual play.

MANNERS AND PROTOCOL WHEN PARTICIPATING IN PANDORASPACE

These guidelinge were derived after a number of group experiences and dialogue among the leadership group. They continue in place today in all groups that call themselves Pandora.

All cultures function more smoothly when there is consensus concerning socially appropriate behavior. If you choose to participate in a Pandora sponsored activity please assume the following manners will be expected unless otherwise stated.

STAY ON THE PATH, DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS, REPORT ALL QUESTIONABLE OR DANGEROUS SITUATIONS:

Ask before going outside the area we are inhabiting, or before picking up anything that is not yours. Stay fully conscious of your own and other's bounderies and ask clearly before using something. Please accept full responsibility for refusing any request that is not appropriate for you at this time.

PRACTICE HIGH STANDARDS OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE:

Practice safe sex when in our space, with everyone, at all times. Sit on a towel when naked, use latex, soap, and other protections freely. Report to the group if you have any condition that may be contagious.

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING OR ASK FOR SUPERVISION:

Do not engage in any practice or consume anything until you understand fully the choice you are making.

BE WILLING TO ENGAGE IN DIALOG WITH OTHERS WHO QUESTION YOUR CONDUCT:

If you are open to conversation many difficulties can be resolved.

DO YOUR SHARE:

Help out with donations of money, time, skills, or supplies. Look for ways to be supportive.

HISTORY CONTINUES:

We have been using the culture outlined above for four years now with people of widely varying levels of commitment. We have learned much; and would like to learn more.

We can see that interest in this model is growing. While we are honored by that, we wish also to be cautious that our cultural standards are not compromised. Let them be debated, but not, in the name of Pandora, compromised.

If you are interested in sharing information, or have questions, please email Pandora or write to Dora at

Pandora
POB
Seattle, WA 98000

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