Master Tallen has many beliefs and philosophies on varied subjects within the Master/slave lifestyle. These views have developed after years of living as a slave, then years as a Master. Along with His own experiences, Master Tallen gained a lot from attending or facilitating at MAsT meetings, Master/slave Conferences, and other various group functions.

He has presented workshops on Master/slave related topics to people from all over the nation. Master Tallen believes strongly in the Latin motto, docendo discimus, which means ‘by teaching, we learn’. Therefore, through an open mind, and open ears, He was able to refine His own philosophies through educating, and being educated.

Many of Master Tallen’s philosophies and style of Mastery also come from His service in the United States Marine Corps. These philosophies will be carried on through Master Tallen’s Leather CORPS.

Core Principles

The word CORPS in Master Tallen’s Leather CORPS not only describes the type of family unit, but it is also an acronym for Master Tallen’s Core principles. Those are:

Control: A slave in service to the Leather CORPS has given himself/herself to the Commander. This means that all aspects of the slave’s life are to be controlled. A slave is still a human being, with real thoughts, emotions, wants, needs, and expectations. It is up to the Commander to take control of the slave, and the slave’s life. Control is maintained by use of protocols, household rules, regulations and reaffirmation.

Obedience: Control brings about obedience. A slave in service to the Leather CORPS is expected to follow all orders set forth by the Commander.

Respect: Respect is earned. Respect goes both ways. A slave in service to the Leather CORPS is expected to show respect to Masters. Also the slave will be respected. Each of us has chosen or accepted our position in life, and we expect to be treated with the appropriate level of respect.

Power: In the Leather CORPS, power is that force, attitude, demeanor shown and executed by a Master. It is an element that should be within each Master, without crossing the line of being egotistical or arrogant. A Master should maintain His dominance without being domineering. Power brings about respect.

Service: A slave is a slave in order to serve. This is not to say however, that slavery is all about service. Slavery is about many different elements that must exist. Service is one of those elements that without, slavery does not exist. Service can be many different things. It is not just fulfilling domestic chores. A slave in the Leather CORPS is serving; by following protocols; by continuing to give the Master control; by maintaining his/her mental/physical health; by fulfilling the Master’s wants needs and desires on every pre-negotiated level. It is the Master’s responsibility to give the slaves opportunities to serve.

Mastery: A Master is one who knows what He wants, and knows how to get it. Commanding respect, exuding confidence, and maintaining control are basic characteristics. Knowledge is power, therefore, a Master should educate Himself in numerous facets of the Master/slave dynamic as well as general elements of the human equation. A Master should; be dominant without being domineering; command without having to demand loyalty; respect and cherish the gift of self the slave has given; develop His own style of natural leadership; protect the slaves in His charge on all mental and physical levels. Consistency and structure, being two main things a slave needs from a Master, should be at the forefront of the Master’s priorities. A Master, like any other person, is not perfect. He should, however, strive to grow and perfect His Mastery for the betterment of Himself, and those under his command.

Slavery: A true slave in this context, is a strong individual. In our form of voluntary consensual servitude, it is a gift of one’s self that the slave gives to a Master. The slave is not a sub-human creature to be abused. A slave is a human being, with real wants, needs, and expectations. It is expected of a slave to be of service to the Master who owns him/her. That service should be defined by both Master and slave. The slave has a right to state limits, and negotiate the commitments and expectations prior to becoming property of the Master. A slave claiming to give themselves to a Master, should submit and surrender to the Master’s will within the prearranged limits and agreements. The slave should be open to being trained and molded to the level desired by the Master.

Safe, Sane, and Consensual: No person should be forced into anything. In this lifestyle, slaves knowingly consent to be property of a Master. They still however, have the right to expect that they will be protected from any form of harm. This philosophy is common in BDSM scenes, but should also be practiced daily within all aspects of this lifestyle. ‘Use, not abuse’.

Communication: At the heart of every successful relationship is good communication. In the Master/slave dynamic, it is imperative. The Master must make sure that avenues for communication are open. Setting protocols, guidelines, or schedules for communication might be necessary. The use of slave journals can also be an effective tool. The slave is also responsible for communication. Each person should be able to speak, and to be heard.

Love: This is a controversial subject in the Master/slave community. There are as many views on love’s importance or existence as there are people in the lifestyle. Many say that love should not exist, and others state that love can exist between Master and slave as long as T/they are not IN love. Master Tallen’s Leather CORPS believes that love does exist between Master and slave. Also, the two can be in love if that works for T/them. However, as with any other element or emotion, the Master and slave should be careful to not weaken the Owner/property dynamic by letting love create a more egalitarian relationship.

BDSM: The practice of using bondage, discipline, and sado-masochism within the Master/slave dynamic is common. However, it is not a necessity. BDSM is not the foundation of the Master/slave dynamic, but it can be an element. One can be a Master or slave without practicing BDSM. However, it can be a need of the Master or the slave to have BDSM in their dynamic in order to feel their Mastery or slavery. It is important that those needs be filled, and that the frequency and intensity meet the expectations of both Master and slave. It is also important to be educated on proper techniques, and safety. As with other elements of the Master/slave dynamic, BDSM should be a bonding experience for both Master and slave, and should reaffirm one’s place.

Reaffirmation: This is another necessary element of the Master/slave dynamic. It is important that both Master and slave continuously strengthen their individual positions by being reminded of their respective places. Those reminders can come in various forms, and will help maintain the Master and slave mindset. Masters affirm their position as a Master by taking possession of a slave. A slave affirms their place as a slave by giving themselves to a Master. Reaffirmation is the practice of using tools such as protocols, BDSM scenes, and forms of discipline, control, and service to remind both parties of their place within the dynamic.

Community: The Master/slave Community consists of persons of various sexual orientations, races, and genders. It is made up of those persons seeking to live a productive life as a Master or slave, or in some cases, both. Within this community, we all have the right to live our lives the way we choose, and to be respected. Master Tallen’s Leather CORPS believes that we all have an obligation to protect our way of life and to share our perspectives with each other in order learn, grow, and succeed. Master Tallen created The Master/slave Flag for the primary purpose of connecting the community, so that we could recognize each other and be able to come together.

Education: Master Tallen’s Leather CORPS does not believe that everything we teach will be accepted and followed by everyone. We are not the foremost authorities on any given subject. People have the right to take what they want from our lessons. But we do encourage educating members of the community to seek education. We also encourage people to share their stories with others in order to help them grow. Docendo discimus, which means ‘by teaching, we learn’.

Protocols: In this lifestyle, protocols are rules and regulations that govern the slave’s general behavior and posture. Master Tallen refers to protocols as ‘the invisible leash’. They give the slave direction and control, and further inform the slave as to how the Master expects the slave to behave. They are a crucial element to the Master/slave dynamic, as they help guide the slave to avoid failure, and give the slave confidence in pursuing the goal of pleasing the Master. Master Tallen believes that a Master’s protocols say something about who He is, and what He wants. A Master should make the time and commitment to establish His protocols, and document them for future reference. Protocols vary from household to household, and a Master should not expect persons not of His household to follow His protocols.

Honesty: Unfortunately, too many people in society are by nature, dishonest. This is true in the Master/slave community as well. For some reason, those people feel the need to exaggerate their levels of experience. People tend to be deceptive in order to take advantage of others, or to simply make themselves appear to be more than they really are. It is ironic that a lifestyle choice that takes such inner honesty and strength to be able to come to terms with, can contain such deception. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Honesty is not only a virtue, it is a requirement.