This is the way of the evil inclination. The biggest, most tempting fantasy you could think of--the minute it's over there's just no more desire. Nothing. And not only that, but it leaves a void in it's wake. The evil one laughs at us and when we are fool enough to give in to him. He leaves us with an emptiness and with no fulfillment whatsoever.

The opposite is true with spirituality. Before you do a Mitzva, learn Torah or say no to a non-Kosher desire, it can look hard, it can feel dry. "Pharaoh" comes to the person and says "Who is G-d that I should listen to him?" But afterwards, after you've given a little of yourself over to G-d, you are left with an inner fulfillment that shines and shines forever...

It doesn't really matter how long you can stay clean for. The question is, why do you keep doing it if you don't want to? This is an indication that you may have some level of addiction. Now there are many levels of addiction, and some of the lighter tools on GYE can help for lighter levels of addiction (see the video on the homepage - blue, orange and red levels).

If you find that you don't act out when around other people, then make sure to stay connected! Indeed, many studies show that the opposite of addiction is not sobriety - the opposite of addiction is CONNECTION. See this video clip from TED for more on this amazing principle.

Schoolkids today are watching porn like never before. It's free, it's instant and it's having a devastating effect.

As they walked along, Rabbi Abba said, What is the meaning of the verse: "They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and have hewn them out cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water?" (Yirmeyahu, 2:13)

The meaning of "they have forsaken Me (oti)" refers to one who has forsaken "my sign," by being false to the imprint of the holy Brit. And how does he betray it? By bringing it into a foreign domain, as is said, "and took for himself the daughter of a foreign god," (Malachi, 2:11.) These women are called "broken cisterns," for all of the gentile nations are broken cisterns.

But Israel's women are "a well of living waters." This is a holy domain, of a holy faith, and it is called a flowing well of pure, streaming waters, as is said, "streams from Lebanon," (Shir HaShirim, 4:15) and, "Drink waters out of your own cistern, and running waters out of your own well," (Mishle, 5:15.) Also, it is written, "A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters," (Shir HaShirim, 4:15) But the other domain (Sitra Achra) is called, "broken cisterns than can hold no water."

Behold, the ever-flowing stream above (Yesod) waters all the Garden (Malchut) and irrigates every place, as we have already explained, until it fills that place in the Garden which is called "the well of living waters," which nourishes all of the upper and lower worlds, as is said, "And from there it was parted," (Bereshit, 2:10.)

But all the sides of the Left Side are not watered from that fountain of flowing water, because they are of the side of the other nations, and they are called "broken cisterns."

And one who is false to the holy imprint of the Brit cleaves to this side of the broken cisterns that do not hold water, because the water does not flow into them.

While the man who merits to guard the Brit properly merits to drink of the waters of that flowing stream in the world to come, and causes that upper well to be filled in order to send forth blessings above and below. Fortunate is he in this world and in the world to come. About him it is written, "And thou shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters never fail," (Yishayahu, 58:11.)

Do you have a problem with obsessive and compulsive porn use? Have you seriously tried the tools on GYE and feel that you are not getting better? Maybe it’s time to consider joining a 12-Step program.

Porn Anonymous (PA)
If you’re compulsively acting-out with pornography and masturbation we suggest you explore joining Porn Anonymous (PA). If you need help deciding whether to join PA, call Michael at 347-699-2368, or email help@pornanonymous.org to schedule a time to talk. For more information visit pornanonymous.org (Hebrew: p-a.org.il / Yiddish: pa-yid.org).

Sexaholics Anonymous (SA)
If your compulsive acting-out has progressed beyond the screen (with other people, paid sexual services, etc.) we suggest you explore joining Sexaholics Anonymous (SA). To figure out if SA is for you, call Dov at 917-414-8205, or email Dov at dov@guardyoureyes.org to schedule a time to talk. For more information visit www.sa.org.