Someone doubted that the use of pain on the wrist could deflect attention and establish or break an inappropriate association. It is in fact a good strategy. Hell will be very painful, everywhere, so be sure to engender a taste of it now. There are many ways to mortify yourself. The rubber band trick is not discreet, however, and this is a big problem with it.
As for the query, the long-term answer is to do sufficient spiritual reading so that you have enough mental associations and a breadth of understanding so that the mere appearance of a beautiful woman does not deflect you on your path. As you avert your eyes, offer your suffering to God for the conversion of the lukewarm (a suggestion).
The artist is perhaps in grave danger if he works with nude models; I’d worry that he has fooled himself into believing that lust is appropriate curiosity. When art was Christianized, nudity was dropped, and didn’t return until the rebelliousness of sin broke free again. He can check to see whether he’s fooling himself by asking, Would I like to work with clothed models? Answer–of course not: this shows that a certain secret lewdness is at issue. If you think clothed models are boring, or won’t sell, you’ve bought the Protestant-Masonic-carnal model of being.
If you try that rubber band trick, be careful not to cause damage to your blood vessels in your wrist. Physical irritation is good, though. And remember: hate the world. The world is decadent. The world is full of people who tickle each other into believing that there is no sin. The body is beautiful, this is true: but we have a fallen nature.
The points about marriage not being the answer have merit in that if you have custody-of-the-eyes problems now, marriage won’t solve it. Chastity is distinct from vocation, and mandatory for any vocation.
Read more. Read old books. Fill your head with organized pious thoughts–not a call for sentimentality, but good firm piety.
Someone suggested that maybe the Church shouldn’t condemn poor dress because after all we need a chance to exercise our free will: No. The Church should always tell the truth. St. Padre Pio as an example would not hear confessions from immodestly dressed women. (
1) The Church must guide us, but refuses to do so at this point in her history. A document telling women to cover their knees and shoulders would be met with “Catholic” women crying, “Oh right, blame women.” The hierarchy is too conciliatory at this time, to tell us the truth.
As for flirting, the goodness or badness of it depends upon the purpose, content, and effect. There are all kinds of ways to interact playfully with people. A saint does not have to be somber and morose.
(BTW, have you ever considered that you might have a Vocation?)
It would look like you were hiding behind ‘but I’m an artist’ excuse to oogle pretty women. But if you loved all things beautiful I myself would probably look over it.
