Therapeutic Sensations: A New Unifying Concept

Table 2

Conceptual parallels between therapeutic sensations and vital energy.

Characteristic of therapeutic sensations	Reference to vital energy
General properties
Attention-related sensations	Directing vital energy through the body
Somatosensory quality
Tingling, electric	Electricity as a form of energy
Warmth	Body warmth as a core feature of life
Fullness or distention	Energy accumulating in a body region
Complex sensations	Unfamiliarity/exceptional experience
Nonstationarity, nonlocality
Flowing, streaming	Energy flow
Radiating, spreading	Movement as a core feature of life; energy flow
Topography
Linear sensations	Energy moving through channels
Widespread sensations in body midline	Energy accumulating in chakras