What is Sen? Be like Water. Think like River.

Thai Massage regards the "Sen" as the main energy lines that circulate the flow of chi or prana throughout the human body. Similar to the energetic pathways called meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the sen carry our vital essence, as well as human characteristics that contribute to our biological and psychological makeup. Likewise, in both traditions there are specific touch therapies to enhance the flow of chi. However, the sen live in what seem to be a parallel universe to the meridians: the sen live in different areas of the body and exhibit different directionalities and qualities.

These differences between the sen and meridians do not mean that one system is correct or incorrect. As the common Thai expression goes: “Same, same, but different.” These two alternative maps of prana simply demonstrate different currents spiraling down the same river. If you came to visit Arizona and asked for a map, the follow-up question would be, "What kind of map?" If you're interested in driving to the Grand Canyon, you might want a highway map or rural road map. If you want to go for a hike, maybe you consider a topography map or a National Park map. If mountain biking was your passion, one of these maps might do, but you might need an entirely different map. All the maps are depicting Arizona, but the map you choose depends on your interest and intention. It’s the same with the sen and meridians: both represent the rivers of chi flowing throughout the human body, but have nuances and are impacted based on your intention.

Intention is paramount in every bodywork modality. It is said, “chi follows intention.” Whereas the meridians are located by a very specific body measurement system (e.g., ST36 is 3 tsun inferior to the inferiolateral border of patella), the sen are fundamentally accessed thru intuition. The sen follow similar pathways in each human, however, their locations are ambiguously defined to allow for the ever changing and flexible nature of each person, and are harnessed through repetitive intuitive practice. Using intuitive intention deeply and profoundly touches your clients. Being that humans are composed primarily of water the following poem flows well.

"Water changes shape and even form,
but keeps its essence.
River changes water and even course,
but keeps its essence.
Trust the unchanging in changing.
Be like water and river.
Moving and staying, changing and unchanging
Know and soften
Soften and change
Change and endure
Be like water
Think like river."

From the Tao of Relationship