The Volitional Formations: The Silent Conductor Within Each of Us

Have you ever wondered why, while deeply engrossed in reading a book, your leg begins to scratch unconsciously, your hand smooths your hair, or your lips curve into a smile at a distant memory? You did not issue any command, yet your body moves. Who holds the reins? This is the volitional formations, known as *Sankhara*—one of the five aggregates that constitute the human being according to the Buddha’s teachings.

In the Dharma, we learn that a person is composed of five aggregates: form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness. Form refers to the physical body made of the four elements; feeling is sensation; perception is recognition; mental formations are volition and intention; and consciousness is awareness. Among these, the aggregate of mental formations is often likened to a "conductor." It silently orchestrates all physical and psychological activities, yet few people pay attention to its presence.

"At any given moment, the aggregate of mental formations directs numerous actions within our body. However, only a few of these actions receive our conscious attention. The vast majority slip by unnoticed."

## The Aggregate of Mental Formations: The Body’s Silent Conductor

Try riding a bicycle down the street for a moment. Your legs pedal, your hands steer, your eyes watch the road, and your ears listen to the sounds around you. You might even sing while pedaling, glance at passersby, and maintain perfect balance. All these coordinated movements are directed by the aggregate of mental formations. You focus only on controlling your song; everything else happens automatically. This aggregate is the foundation of such automaticity.

Venerable Thich Chan Quang explains that simultaneously, our mind releases hundreds of thoughts. We notice only the prominent ones, while the rest flow in an unconscious stream. When we lack meditative concentration, the aggregate of mental formations remains confined within our limited physical body. But as the mind becomes stiller, this aggregate expands like a vast field of energy.

## When the Mind is Still, Mental Formations Become a Source of Spiritual Power

The teacher highlights the connection between meditative concentration and supernatural powers. When the mind ceases to fluctuate, barriers dissolve, and the aggregate of mental formations begins to manifest its transcendent capabilities. This is why great meditation masters can foresee events, display miraculous powers, or clearly perceive other realms of existence.

"Only when the power of concentration is very deep can the aggregate of mental formations unleash its spiritual force. It becomes the source of miracles and supernatural abilities."

Ancient stories tell us that when King Tran Nhan Tong was asked about the essence of the Buddha’s teachings, he replied, "I hold a staff to poke the sun and moon." Many interpreted this as profound metaphor, but in truth, he saw the sun and moon resting in his hand. This was not hallucination. When the aggregate of mental formations is deeply concentrated, its field permeates the entire universe. He perceived reality exactly as it was.

Furthermore, across many traditions, practitioners have witnessed halos, energy centers, or subtle biological structures through the expansion of this aggregate. These experiences confirm that the latent power of mental formations is real.

## The Soul Is Also Constructed from Mental Formations

A surprising insight is that the structure of the soul corresponds to the structure of the aggregate of mental formations. Although the soul may possess a form that we label as the aggregate of form, the material composing it is derived from mental formations. Therefore, after death, this aggregate persists in the form of scent-aggregates, spirits, or consciousness-streams. It is no longer bound by the physical body and can appear in visions invisible to the ordinary eye.

Buddhist philosophy also discusses the term "attā," which carries two meanings: soul and self-identity. The Buddha taught non-self (*anatta*), explaining that there is no fixed, hard core like the trunk of a banana tree. However, this teaching does not deny the existence of the soul. This nuance leads to different interpretations among various schools. Venerable Chan Quang emphasizes that we must understand this distinction to avoid confusion when hearing teachings from different lineages.

## Right Mindfulness: Know Clearly, But Do Not Memorize Too Deeply

The sutras teach that whether walking, standing, lying down, sitting, eating, or drinking, a monk knows clearly what they are doing. This is mindfulness. However, if misunderstood, one might try to memorize every action, causing the mind to cling to trivial details.

"The Buddha said in the sutras: when a monk puts on his robe and takes his bowl, he knows clearly. When he walks back and forth, he knows clearly. When he eats, chews, and swallows, he knows clearly."

The teacher shares a story about a monk in a rural temple who practiced the instruction to "know whatever you do." He tried to focus intensely on every action, from hoeing the soil and planting vegetables to holding his bowl while eating rice. Yet, at night during meditation, all those actions replayed in his mind like a rewound tape, disturbing his peace and preventing concentration. A senior teacher advised him: "Do not focus on the actions you perform; let them happen naturally." Why? Because when you attach attention to an action, it imprints itself in memory and resurfaces during meditation. True mindfulness means living with wakefulness, knowing clearly without clinging. Only then, when the mind settles, can the aggregate of mental formations shine brightly.

## Conclusion

Each of us possesses a magnificent conductor within—the aggregate of mental formations. Yet, it reveals its full power only when our mind becomes still. Meditative concentration is the method to dispel delusions, allowing this aggregate to radiate like a cloudless sky. Begin with your breath, and practice living with wakefulness each day. You will discover that infinite strength resides right within you.