Cattāri Brahmavihārā

I undertake the training rule to refrain from being alone with a member of the opposite sex who is not my partner.

Despite the fact that all of the training rules are voluntary I am probably the most ambivalent about this one and yet I would not have included it if I did not feel it had value. For me not only does the rule to refrain from being alone with a member of the opposite sex (a lthough it would apply just as well to another male if that were the slant of my desire) aid my mindfulness but it is also a protection of my reputation. All of which is fo say that I am not so concerned that I would act improperly if I were left alone with a beautiful woman but that, by avoiding th situation entirely, there will never be a question of impropriety.