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?
I am not sure there is 'freedom' in restraint. It would seem just the opposite. Restraint from abuse, however, is freedom from evil.