The Aggregate of Volitional Formations and the Mental Formation

Question: Is the transmission of perceived aspects from the manas to the consciousness considered the formation of volition (saṃskāra)? Are human physical actions and mental activities also considered volitional consciousness?

Answer: All that is changing and not static belongs to the formation of volition (saṃskāra), or the aggregate of mental formations. This includes both physical and mental aspects. However, physical movement is essentially driven by the movement of the conscious mind; if the conscious mind does not move, the body cannot move. The transmission of perceived aspects is also movement, arising from the movement of consciousness. If these movements obstruct one's proper cognition and prevent the discernment of suchness (true nature), causing one to recognize only the moving phenomena as volitional activity, then these movements constitute the formation of volition. Conversely, if they do not obstruct such discernment, they are simply the aggregate of mental formations.