Self respect is a healthy form of ego needed to keep the true soul individuality while it is developing. It is like a toothless lion or a defanged snake which is certainly less dangerous to others. But if the defanged snake forgets to hiss or the toothless lion forgets to roar then it will become an easy prey to all kinds of forces in the world.
But once the psychic being is discovered and one is in contact with the Divine Presence then it is impossible to feel insulted. Then the respect is not based on the ego-self anymore and it is the Divine Presence that takes care of everything. Like the serpent around Shiva’s neck and the lion below Durga’s feet the ego becomes only an instrument of the Divine. One acts then no more because of personal hurts but to stay the march of adharma.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
