Theos-Talk Archives (March 1998 Message tt00124)

> As I understand it, he tells us that the initiate forgets the
>own self and lives entirely for others.  Living for others is fine by
>me; I think we should all devote some of our incarnations purely for
>others, once we are fit enough.   What I don't understand is the
>teaching that the chela does not stand up if only to defend
>him/herself.   GdeP wrote:
>
>    >Never strike back; never retaliate; be silent; be patient. Protect
>others; protect yourself not at all.
>
>    Is the student meant to take this quite literally?   Can someone
>please discuss this with us?
>

Yes, it is to be taken literally. However, even initiates and whole Adepts
need to stand up to defend themselves on occasion. The idea is that
we defend others first, and ourselves second.

Jerry S.