Yoga is a method for restraining the natural turbulence of

Hear the voice of Paramahansa Yogananda, the great sage who carried the wisdom of the East into the restless lands of the West: “Yoga is a method for restraining the natural turbulence of thoughts, which otherwise impartially prevent all men, of all lands, from glimpsing their true nature of Spirit. Yoga cannot know a barrier of East and West any more than does the healing and equitable light of the sun.” These words flow like a river, gentle yet powerful, bearing both instruction and promise. They remind us that the true enemy of man is not foreign armies nor distant lands, but the ceaseless storm within—the restless thoughts that blind us from beholding the eternal Spirit that is our birthright.

For Yogananda speaks of Yoga, not as a mere posture or exercise, but as a sacred discipline of the soul. In its truest sense, Yoga means union: the joining of the mortal with the divine, the human with the eternal. Yet before this union can be known, the heart must be stilled, the mind must be calmed, and the ocean of restless thoughts must be quieted. Without such restraint, we are like men gazing into turbulent waters, unable to see the reflection of the heavens above. The Spirit is always within us, but it is hidden by the waves of distraction, desire, and doubt.

Consider the story of the Buddha beneath the Bodhi tree. Mara, the tempter, assailed him with visions, fears, and desires. These were nothing but the same turbulence of thoughts that Yogananda describes, which come not only to Gautama, but to all men and women in every land. By restraining them—by not yielding to their sway—the Buddha pierced the veil of illusion and glimpsed his true nature of Spirit. His victory was not for India alone, nor for his age alone, but for all who seek to still the storm within and awaken to truth.

In saying that Yoga knows no barrier of East or West, Yogananda speaks against the false divisions of mankind. Just as the sun shines equally upon all, offering its light without prejudice, so too does the path of self-realization belong to every soul. It matters not whether one is born in the deserts of Arabia, the mountains of Europe, or the fields of Asia; the Spirit is universal, and the means of awakening it—discipline, stillness, inward union—are gifts to all humanity. To divide truth by geography is folly; wisdom is the inheritance of all.

Yet this teaching is not only lofty but practical. For who among us has not felt the chaos of the mind, the ceaseless chatter of thoughts that drag us into worry, anger, or sorrow? We seek peace in the world, yet carry storms within our own breast. Yoga, in its essence, is the art of mastering this inner battlefield. When the mind is stilled, the heart becomes clear; when the heart is clear, the Spirit shines forth; and when the Spirit shines forth, we remember who we truly are—not shadows tossed by the winds, but eternal beings of light.

The lesson is profound: seek not only outward change, but inward mastery. Learn to quiet the mind through meditation, breath, or prayer. Dedicate moments each day to silence, to self-observation, to turning inward. Let not the divisions of nation, race, or creed deceive you—your neighbor across the sea carries the same Spirit as you, and the same path of inner stillness lies open before them. In this recognition, compassion awakens, and the barriers of “East” and “West” dissolve like morning mist.

Practical steps are clear: begin with the breath, for it is the bridge between body and mind. Inhale slowly, exhale gently, and allow the storm to soften. Practice stillness, even for a few minutes each day, letting the tide of thoughts recede. Study the wisdom of sages from every land, not clinging to one tradition, but drawing from all as from a garden of many flowers. Most of all, remember that Yoga is not merely a practice of the body, but a discipline of the soul, leading to the revelation of the eternal Spirit within.

Remember always: the sun shines without choosing sides, and so does truth. The path of Yoga belongs to no single people, but to all who seek freedom from the restless mind. By restraining the turbulence of thoughts, you will behold the vast and radiant nature of Spirit within you. This is the gift Yogananda bore to the world: the promise that peace, clarity, and awakening are not distant treasures, but the destiny of every soul who dares to turn inward.