Theos-Talk Archives (March 1998 Message tt00131)

Pat F wrote:

> 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?
>

It is right to be patient, never strike back and never retaliate but to be
silent and to protect ourselves not at all should not be taken literally.

The Adept generally does not defend himself because there is neither
unfavorable karma to precipitate calamity, nor any 'self' to defend.
However, the initiate who meddles in the affairs of men to works for their
benefit has to suffer from opposing will-power sent at him by every bad or
malicious nature and he can not use his powers to protect himself. In words
of HPB:

"In occultism a most solemn vow has to be taken never to use any powers
acquired or conferred for the benefit of one's own personal self...I have
taken that vow, and I am not one to break a pledge the sanctity of which
cannot be brought within the comprehension of the profane. I would rather
suffer any tortures than be untrue to my pledge... And it is not only bodily
pain and weakness, and the ravages of disease that I am to suffer with what
patience I may, subduing them by my will for the sake of the work, but
mental pain, ignominy, opprobrium and ridicule."

This should not deter us, the uninitiated, from using *physical* mean to
protect ourselves. We as personality can entirely left the job of defense to
our Higher Self only when the strong link between them has been established.
How can I compose and send this e-mail without protecting my computer from a
new strain of virus, without defending myself from numerous mosquitoes
trying to invade or already getting into the room and without locking my
door as a defense against any intruder. There is an ocean of difference
between defending ourselves and doing harm to others. By letting other
unjustly take advantage of us without any defense we may do harm to them in
tempting them to create bad karma.

We all are familiar with an Indian story of a sage and a snake, don't we?

Visanu