Nen

**Nen**(念(ネン) or ネン, *Nen* literally meaning "Sense"; "Mind Force" in the Viz translation) is a technique that allows any living thing to use and control their life energy(known as **aura**) to produce fantastical effects. In conversation, the word "Nen" can be used, referring to aura. Those that can use Nen are called a "Nen user"(能(のう)力(りょく)者(しゃ)()()()()()()(), *nōryokusha* literally meaning "ability person"), while those that can't are labeled as "non-users"(一(いっ)般(ぱん)人(じん)()()()()()()(), *ippanjin* literally meaning "ordinary person").

Due to the drastic amounts of destruction and chaos a Nen user can cause, Nen is kept a secret from the general public.

## Nen & Aura

### Aura Nodes & Awakening

**Aura** (オーラ, *Ōra*) is the manifestation of a living being's life force, essential to their existence. Aura, or Nen, flows through one's entire body together, creating one abundance of energy. This will occur regardless of the individual's awareness of Nen, causing the aura to slowly leak out from the heads of non-users, resembling water vapor from a kettle. The positions on the body where the aura flows from are called "**Aura Nodes**" (, *Shōkō*). For those that have not fully opened their Aura Nodes, their aura can leak with no consequences. Those that have fully opened their Aura Nodes, however, must attempt to close them or control their aura, or risk gaining heavy fatigue or even losing consciousness. Grave wounds, such as loss of limbs, can disrupt or even stop the flow of aura in that area. The first step to learning Nen is by learning to control your Aura Nodes.

Only those that have awakened the Aura Nodes in their eyes can see Aura. This means that someone not fully awakened could still perceive aura, as long as the Aura Nodes in their eyes are open. Those fully awakened are also able to perceive aura, as every one of their Aura Nodes are opened. Even if their Aura Nodes are closed and they have no knowledge of Nen, sensitive individuals can still feel its presence. Non-hostile, resting Nen will feel like a warm, viscous fluid, while refined, powerful auras will feel like needles prickling into the skin. Hostile auras create displeasing situations, causing non-users to be stopped in their tracks or fall to the ground under its weight, as if there were some obstacle. Perceiving auras is an extremely useful skill, especially for tracking or hunting living things and non-living things with aura. This also allows experienced Nen users to assess an opponent's location and strength through the use of Nen, although skilled Nen users can also make themselves seem like beginners to others.

### Learning Nen & Initiation

The usual student learning Nen starts by slowly studying and meditating, to learn how to open and close their Aura Nodes at will. However, this is not the only way. There is another method, called **Initiation** (, *Senrei*—lit. "Baptism"), in which a Nen user forcefully opens your Aura Nodes by sending an influx of aura. Although it is much faster than the conventional way, this method is usually frowned upon; this is due to the fact that if used by an inexperienced or malicious teacher, it can result in grave injury or even death. Thus, it is not considered a standard method. Further conveying its danger, the practice is often called an "attack", because the majority of non-users that are awakened by this technique without the training alongside it will be unable to control their Aura Nodes, resulting in heavy damage or long-term exhaustion.

Initiation via attacking the non-user is customary in in floors 200 and above of the H
eaven's Arena. It was also by this method that some of the Chimera Ants unable to use Nen at birth were awakened. Awakening Nen in this way is the most dangerous, typically resulting in injury, permanent disability, or death. There is also a more "harmless" way of awakening a non-user's Nen, through "indirect attacks", non-detrimental or even beneficial, by means such as healing, lending, or the best of the best Manipulation abilities. A seasoned Nen user can open a non-user's Aura Nodes simply by performing their Hatsu on them.

Half-awakening can also occur, where a non-user can control a bit of their aura and emit a larger aura than the average person, but still have some of their Aura Nodes closed, meaning they could still be unable to see auras. This usually happens by the use of a Manipulation ability, or through the powers of a Guardian Spirit Beast.

### Progression & Potential

Even though all living beings have aura and the capability to master Nen, some progress faster and have more potential than others. The cause for this is unkown; however it does seem to be a factor present from birth, as its rarity can be calculated, and there is no evidence of a person's potential changing during their lifetime. Potential or talent is speaking to the maximum limit of an individual's ability, as well as the speed at which they grow, which seem to be proportional. The quicker one catches onto Nen, the higher their hypothetical ceiling is. This "growth speed" can manifest in different ways; one may learn basic Nen techniques on their own, while another may have an easier time generally controlling their aura. Circumstances can also influence one's growth, augmenting their natural speed. Because of this, an individual's rate of growth may not be a perfect representation of their limit, although it is fairly close. There is a beginning exercise that reveals a Nen user's talent, but experienced Nen users are able to tell at a glance.

Talent may have something to do with genetics, and there is precedence for it in the canon story. An individual coming from a family of powerful Nen users will likely have a great talent in Nen, and one born into a family of weak Nen users will have to work harder to achieve the same results. This does not mean that those with a high potential do not have to work hard. To become strong, they must train hard just like anyone else. The difference is that they will achieve their results quicker.

### Nen of the Flame

**Nen of the Flame** (燃(ネン) or ネン, *Nen* literally meaning "Burn"; "Flame" in the Viz translation) is usually taught to practitioners of the Shigen-ryu kung fu style, before they learn Nen. It is a form of meditation, readying the mind and reinforcing one's will. Practicing Nen of the Flame allows an individual to smoothen the flow of their aura. There are Four Exercises, as follows:

* **Ten** (点(テン), *Ten*; "Point"): Focus the mind, reflect upon the self, and determine the goal.
* **Zetsu** (舌(ゼツ), *Zetsu*; "Tongue"): Put it into words.
* **Ren** (錬(レン), *Ren*; "Temper"): Intensify your will.
* **Hatsu** (発(ハツ), *Hatsu*; "Release"): Put it to action.

It is a misconception that these Four Exercises allow one to awaken Nen. However, they are not completely useless. Since Nen is connected to emotions, calming the mind through those exercises allow one to have better control over their Nen. This makes it a good way to train Nen without aura, although the method utilizing aura is preferred.