Summa Iru! An often quoted Tamil phrase. It means 'be still'. It applies more to the mind that to the body. It is the greatest spiritual teaching. These two small words encompass so much. Be still and reach inside to your atma, to your soul. Do not allow the mind to wander here and there.

Let happiness and sorrow come and go - be still.

Be balanced and self-controlled. Find out how to always remain happy. Make the mind one-pointed. Do not worry about anything because the Divine is looking after you. Man can always do some kind of work with the body but do not think too much about it. Be still.

You will always be successful if the mind is free and calm. Always think that God or guru is with you and you will have a peaceful mind. Turn the mind inwards to the depths of the soul where all is still. This will give you peace.

Drop all thoughts and realise your Self - then all disturbing mind-activity will cease. You will know the Infinite. Remain without likes and dislikes and be still.

The true Self is always still but not so the mind. Summa Iru, being still, is the secret and mystery of all spiritual practice - yet it is so simple. Why do you still want to experience the illusory world? If you simply stay still, bliss will overcome you.

When you are totally and truly still, no outside sounds can disturb you. You are busy trying to understand spirituality and know something. Realise that there is ultimately nothing to learn and nothing to know. You simply have to be totally still.

God is with you all the time but you do not realise it. Be adaptable and do not agitate your mind. See and understand that the world and everything around you is always changing. We do no do anything. All is activated by God and everything happens according to His will.

Be still and you will understand all this.

Be still - don't think. Don't think of anything at all. Let thoughts come and go like passing clouds. Just watch them and be their silent witness.

Be still and meditate. Being still is real meditation.

HARI OM

Swami Premananda