53 - Thirteenth – Sense of Reaction and Defense
Its effect is the reaction in times of danger or when facing incidents. This reaction happens without thinking; just like when one gets their hand close to the fire, it automatically pulls back.
Patience is part of this sense, and it is a negative defensive power embedded in humankind to use during incidents. Rage is the reaction of this sense, and it is an intense and robust defense. Endurance and resistance, like patience, are among a negative form of the power of defenses1 .
Bravery and courage, which people rely on for self-defense, are also among subsidiaries of this sense.
Revenge and animosity are also parts of this sense. It is worthy to note that the sense of revenge not only acts towards others but also towards the person himself. When a person without knowing commits an evil deed, they prepare a punishment for themselves, which is why we sometimes see people meet the rewards for their good deeds or retribution for their evil acts in a short time.
This revenge will occur regardless of the people's willpower, and it is by fate and destiny.
People have become aware of this notion somewhat but have been unaware of its principles. This concept is, to a degree, reflected in the literature around the world, and Iranian literature has mentioned this notion numerous times.
We should know that the sense of personal revenge does exist without a doubt, and it will come to reality sooner or later. The indication for its existence is that people will not feel calm until the retribution for their wrongdoings has happened. According to this principle, we see criminal’s plea and beg for punishment due to their unrest for the crime they have committed.
Now the world needs to know this principle that the sense of personal revenge exists, and it is part of the sense of reaction and defense.
Sadness is also a branch of the sense of defense. Becoming sad provokes humankind to seek a solution and take a defensive approach.
Entanglements, pressures, adversities, and all sorts of damages we face in our lives are due to our past wrongdoings. Experiencing these discomforts is the action of "the sense of reaction" that wants to diminish these effects and amend and punish us. Facing these retributions is why people feel tranquility and peace after sufferings and pressures, as the Holy Quran denotes: "For indeed, with hardship will be ease" (Ash-Sharh, Verses 5 and 6).
In short, with the pressure of sadness and its initial distress, people will struggle to find a solution, its hidden effect is the reaction of personal revenge discussed earlier.
Hope is also a part of this sense, and it is to prepare humans for confronting and enduring life incidents. Its effect is that people do not lose momentum in their activities even after adverse incidents.
Fear is also a part of this sense that encourages people to flee when they lack proper defensive tools. Fleeing itself is a means of defense.
Footnotes
- For further discussion on the subject of patience and its importance in the world, we refer you to the Noor-e-Danesh yearly magazine (1967) and the twenty-seventh notion in “Dynamism of Creation.” (Third edition, 1969).