There is nothing wrong with our instincts. How we apply them can be; the intent is what counts.
Yep, instincts are good, necessary, God-given, when used rightly.
It's the ABuse of instincts that causes such suffering.
As I'm seeing it, part of asceticism is strengthen our ability to use instincts properly in a healthy manner, and to gain the freedom of restraint as it were.
Do you think this is a proper way, or one way at least to view it?
Just our outstinks.
Actually that line above by the Orthodox bro would be a very funny joke about humanity except that it's too dreadfully untrue.
I didn't realize the Orthodox Bible had removed:
"The heart is deceitfully wicked, who can know it."