If you're reading this, it's likely that you've been struggling with Shmiras Ainayim for years with ups and downs, and can't seem to get a full grip on it. Well, you're not alone. This is one of man's greatest struggles, and all the more so for people who already became addicted to such behaviors. (Even those who have long stopped the real "acting-out" behaviors often struggle daily still with keeping their eyes in check).
After years of trial and error and feedback from GYE members, we believe that we may have found the 4 ingredients to being successful in Shmiras Ainayim for the long term. (If any one of these ingredients are missing, we can understand why lapses keep occurring).
MeKaDeSH -מקדש
מחליט-Machlit
Make a Decision
(See Chizuk e-mail 1103 for explanation and details on this idea)
קנס-Knas
Make it cost or hurt
(See Chizuk e-mail 1104 for explanation and details on this idea)
דאווען-Daven
Without constant siyatta dishmaya, we can't succeed.
As Chazal say: "The Yetzer hara tries to kill a person, and if Hashem wouldn't help him, he could not overcome him."
שמירה-SHmirah
Internet filters, accountability software, avoiding triggering places, avoiding triggering media like TV, Movies, Magazines, Newspapers.
(See here for more detail and guidance)