This chapter was written primarily, but not exclusively, for those who find that they are particularly challenged.
Some people, especially youngsters, may feel that something is wrong with them when they have to struggle so much. Starting out in life, the post-bar mitzvah bochur on his launch-pad, fresh, raring and ready to go, wonders and sometimes even agonizes over why this delicate issue proves to be such a toughie when, in reality, it's the natural desire of any healthy man.
If you feel challenged by nisyonos in the area of kedusha, you are actually in good company. Chazal describe the temptation, מתאווה להם ומחמדתן - man desires and craves these things.
( מכות פרק ג' משנה ט״ו ) There is a natural craving for immorality implanted in all of us.
Are you nevertheless convinced that you happen to have an extra-hot temperament? Well, scores of our best and finest frontline warriors find themselves pitted against those same odds. Rav Yisrael E. Weintraub, ztz"l, told someone who felt overwhelmed by his challenges in the area of kedusha, "You have no idea how many of your peers feel the same as you!?"
Though it could be true that you possess stronger than average base desires, still, you aren't alone. You'd be surprised at how many out there share your struggle and whose lot it is to be buffeted by many a gale-force wind. Even great people can never really feel safe - a full-blast nisayon is notoriously likely to put to flight all yiras shamayim and lofty principles.
It's really no simple matter these days for one's eyes to avoid encountering the inappropriate. So how does one cope when he needs his eyes to survey and scout and he can't realistically walk blindfolded in the street? How can we be the undisputed master over what we expose our precious eyes to?
Maybe you feel that you could not be trying any harder to get a handle on yourself and yet mighty windskeep spinning you out of control; you could well be right. The answer to your predicament, though, is most likely a different, fresh approach.
Along the quiet lane which each person travels alone in his quest for purity of soul, the following three-point plan provides practical guidance to really make it happen.