Weekly Inspiration

The month of Chet (mid-March to mid-April) is the beginning of Nanakshahi, the Sikh New Year. It is Springtime. A time of change, of renewal, of preparing to blossom again.

Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) extends its warm wishes to the Sikh sangat on this first day of 555 and the coronation day of Guru Harirai Sahib, the champion of environmental preservation and developing indigenous medicines.

A thriving industry informs us which days are auspicious for certain life events. Are we getting sucked into these superstitious beliefs based on the lunar days?

When we become distracted by worldly pursuits and temptations and forget to focus on the One, the world seems to engulf us. Caught up with material desires and attachments, we become stagnant.

As the morning mist vanishes, so will we vanish from the earth. And the world will continue, probably without even remembering us. Yet, we long for lives of self-grandeur and permanence, striving to achieve both in a world of constant change.

What is the Sikhi understanding of love? Of love beyond mortality, beyond boundaries, and limitations? Bhai Gurdas shares the popular narratives of Love from the Eastern context and applies them to the Beloved, inviting us to challenge...

In today's world, many assume the garbs that denote certain religious behaviors without actually living out those behaviors—those with power perform intellect, knowledge, religiosity, and piety. Is this a new phenomenon, or has it always been there?

In our burning and consuming, we cry! We cry about small things like a bad day, not getting a job, or not getting into a school we want to attend. We cry about our struggles with mental health or losing loved ones.

We seem to be living in a fragmented world of extreme segregation. Has it always been this way, or has something changed?

Communicating life learnings is challenging at best. They are hard to listen to, yet the learnings help us navigate life's journey.

From a young age, we strive to form friendships. As we mature, we realize that friendships take many forms—friendships within a loving family structure and platonic relationships.

Today is the Prakash Purab (Illumination Day) of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, the rider of the blue steed, the epitome of love and excellence.

We commemorate the martyrdom of Mata Gujri ji, Sahibzade Baba Fateh Singh (6), Baba Zoravar Singh (9), along with Baba Jujhar Singh (14), Baba Ajit Singh (18), and numerous Sikhs martyred at Chamkaur in 1705.

How do we make sense of war, human suffering, and the struggle for human rights that are taking place globally? How do we make sense of the daily struggle for survival of millions living on this planet today?

Surrender and devotion are ominous words in today’s world. Yet, these words are sweeter than honey for those aching to enter the Gurus’ Sanctuary.

December 5 marks the 150th birth anniversary of Bhai Vir Singh (1872-1957), and we commemorate “The Sixth River of Panjab.”

Let us, for a moment, imagine that Infinite Wisdom lies within each of us, and all we need to do is access it.

Sword-Warrior, Sovereign-Mentor, Mediator-Diplomat, Savior-Martyr. All of these, but still beyond them, is the realm of the Absolute. Myriad facets of the limitless and dynamic Guru-personality, description of which is beyond human intellect.

Guru Teghbahadar Sahib in the fortieth couplet of Salok Mahala 9, says the entire world wanders like a beggar; Ram, the beautiful, charming One is the only universal giver. O mind! Remember That One so that your affairs may be resolved.

Guru Nanak Sahib in Barah Maha, Twelve Months, describes the human-bride as the seeker, seeking a deep love for the Spouse.

The SikhRI team extends their warm wishes on the Prakash Purab of Guru Nanak Sahib.

As human beings, we experience negative thinking from time to time. This thinking can quickly become toxic and hold us back from experiencing the beauty and gift of life.

The Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) team joins the global Sikh community in commemorating Bandi Chor Divas, Emancipation Day.

The Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) team joins the global Sikh community in celebrating 20 October as the Gurgaddi Divas, Coronation Day, of Guru Harikrishan Sahib and Guru-Eternal Guru Granth Sahib.

The IkOankar, the One who has given us this body—this wealth—is that Giver in our consciousness? Have we developed a love for the Giver, or are we unable to see past our “temporary things”? The love of these “temporary things” causes us pain.

From a young age, most of us are taught to search for answers, meaning, or knowledge — we need to read, learn, and read some more. Guru Nanak Sahib quantifies this search for knowledge in the ninth stanza of Asa Ki Var, Song of Hope.

By living in remembrance of IkOankar, the creative force that permeates the universe, and by rising above the distractions of material things and transitory relationships. By living our lives guided by the Wisdom in the company of the virtuous ones.

The one who has been able to rid themselves of all of the negativities of life — lust, anger, greed, attachment, and ego — and who has adopted the temperament of detachment is visibly the fortunate one, for they exhibit the qualities of...

The Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) team joins the global Sikh community in celebrating 16 September as the Gurgaddi Divas, Coronation Day, of Guru Ramdas Sahib and Guru Arjan Sahib.

We cannot become fragrant until we imbibe humility in the way that the neem tree is humble and can take on the quality of sandalwood despite its bitter or unpleasant fragrance. 

We live in challenging times, with many stressed and trying to make sense of their lives. The natural yearning is wanting comfort. However, in this yearning for comfort, we often ignore Truth, for it is unsettling, and favor false comfort.

Astronomers and physicists have photographed the galaxies. Their telescopes have peered into the heart of atoms and looked back at the birth of the Universe, searching for that source of light. Yet, there are gaps in our understanding of the Universe

In today’s world, we seek happiness through material comforts or temporary relationships. Rare ones strive to be free. What is the freedom that the rare ones seek?

We seem to be swimming through a sea of soundwaves, all communicating opinions, emotions, and experiences which are either superfluous or superficial. How can we swim and not drown in this world's ocean?

In a fragmented war-driven world, fear grips our minds. Fear of the other, fear of loss, fear of where we will end up. Negative thoughts, negative thinking, and negative perspectives enter our minds.

Guru Nanak Sahib tells us of variation in experiences. Everyone is going to experience reality in different ways. What matters is whether we feel the Grace. We could be millionaires, but that does not mean we have made it in the world.

Guru Teghbahadar Sahib, in the fifty-fourth stanza of Salok Mahala 9, says, when through Grace, spiritual strength is received, all bondages of material attachment are removed. Then, all efforts become fruitful, and everything becomes possible.

As we enter 2022, we focus on Mul Mantar, the Root Verse. It is the opening verse of the Guru Granth Sahib that expounds on the Divine personality and attributes and serves as the nucleus of the Sikh worldview.