The following piece is intended to discuss the idea of "meaning" or "spirituality" in a ritual setting (play piercing in this instance), and is not merely a descriptive piece. If a solely descriptive piece is, in fact, what you're looking for there are plenty on BME.
At A Glance Author LoveIsUnity Contact loveisunity@kingsoflutz.com IAM LoveIsUnity When N/A "Spirituality" in terms of body modification is (for me of course) any experience where positive value is attributed to the experience separate of any physical gain the modification might have provided. Thus if I were to get my septum pierced and all it meant to me was that I have a badass piece of metal in my nose this would not be what I would refer to as a spiritual modification (although it doesn't make it any less valid of a reason to modify your body). If, however, I got my septum pierced to commemorate meeting my fiancé, and every time I felt it I was reminded of my love for her, this would be "spiritual" in my estimation.
I've done play piercings in the company of two different people, in two different environments, and had two different results emotionally. The "first" instance that will be discussed I pierced myself in front of my girlfriend, in her dorm room (where we were living at the time), and listening to music with which I connect at a spiritual level. The "second" scenario which I'll be discussing was with a good friend, at his house, and listening (once again) to music I connect with spiritually. As ideal as both these situations seem I experienced very different results each time.
The "first" scenario took place last winter after I had completed all my exams and was ready to relax for a few weeks before the Spring semester started. The timing, in this case, was ideal. I was with the woman that I'm going to marry and each needle I put in my body released more and more pent up stress and tension from the previous semester. Another aspect that heightened my pleasure was the intimate location. This scenario was wonderful and is the experience by which I measure the "value" of all other ritual experiences. If I walk out of a body modification feeling half as good as I did on this night then I know it was valuable.
I believe most people would agree it's more comfortable to experience a body modification in a location you're comfortable with rather than somewhere you've never been. This idea (for me) extends itself in to the realm of "permanent modifications" as well. I consider "permanent modifications" any modification that will stay with you physically for longer than an hour or two (piercings, tattoos, and scarifications would be an example of this). I wouldn't be comfortable getting modified in a studio that I was unfamiliar with just as I'm not comfortable doing rituals in a location I'm unfamiliar with.
As I'm sure everyone's already guessed the "second" scenario took place in a location that I wasn't as comfortable with. Sure, it was my best friend's house and I shouldn't feel uncomfortable, but I still did regardless of my close ties with my piercing companion.
Unfortunately the timing wasn't horribly ideal either. As I've stated in previous experiences I like using body modification as a way of commemorating a time in my life (whether to remember the good or save me from the bad). I was fairly ambivalent towards modifying my body on this particular night and I went through with the piercings solely because my friend wanted to. This is probably the main crux of my dilemma, I did something even though I didn't think it would be fulfilling.
Furthermore, the situation turned out to be more of a "bigger dick contest" than an experience where we could have possibly learned something about our bodies, and quite possibly the only positive aspect of this scenario was the music. I pierced myself around twenty times and called it a night. The piercings weren't releasing anything in my body that needed to leave; they were just annoying the piss out of me.
Needless to say there are many factors that can contribute to a "meaningful" ritual. For me it's imperative that I have my girlfriend there, the timing is ideal, and I'm in a good environment. Without all these factors I don't find the "spiritual" enlightenment which is so often discussed on these pages and piercing myself is merely that; piercing myself without any pretense of "spirituality." I hope everyone else involved in rituals finds the ideal conditions for them to make the most out of what they're doing. And if you've engaged in a ritual that you didn't care for try it again in a new environment, with people you love, and with music that soothes your soul. You may find more than you expected.