Yes of course. Self-respect is part of the sattwic ego. It is true that eventually the ego-self has to be entirely renounced but it is not meant to be abdicated at the whims and wishes on the altar of other egos, – individual, social or even religous and ideological, but surrendered at the one true altar, the Divine.
Once one does that, one rises above insults and is not touched by what people say or do. One knows that all human opinion and action is an ignorance. One becomes indifferent to that just as one doesn’t take the barking of a dog on the road personally. Yet one does what is needed at the moment to restrain the animal but without hate, anger or spite.
So too, as one rises above praise and criticism, one acts according to what one thinks is right and true, may be walk away or push back, as moved within. But to simply bear with evil or misbehavior of the people around or to become a martyr is not the royal road to the spiritual life.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
