Weekly Inspiration

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A Time Of Renewal

Tuesday
,
March
14
2023

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.

New Year (1 Cet), Guru Harirai Sahib (Gurgaddi)

Tuesday
,
March
14
2023

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.

Journey Beyond The Moon!

Tuesday
,
March
7
2023

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?

The Mud Of Attachment

Tuesday
,
February
28
2023

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.

Are We Willing To Accept?

Tuesday
,
February
21
2023

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.

Immortal Stories of Love

Tuesday
,
February
14
2023

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...

Are We Performing?

Tuesday
,
February
7
2023

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?

How Do We Navigate Separation?

Tuesday
,
January
31
2023

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.

How Can We See The Light Within All?

Tuesday
,
January
24
2023

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

Why Do We Struggle To Awaken?

Tuesday
,
January
17
2023

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

Companionship For Life’s Journey and Beyond

Tuesday
,
January
10
2023

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.

SikhRI wishes you a joyful Gurpurab!

Thursday
,
January
5
2023

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 Remember the Soaring Spirit at Chamkaur

Tuesday
,
December
27
2022

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 Rise In Times Of Struggle?

Tuesday
,
December
20
2022

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?

The Fruit of Surrender

Tuesday
,
December
13
2022

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.

Bhai Vir Singh - The Sixth River of Panjab

Tuesday
,
December
6
2022

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

To Become A Work Of Art

Tuesday
,
November
29
2022

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

Martyrdom Guru Teghbahadar Sahib & Gurgaddi Guru Gobind Singh Sahib

Thursday
,
November
24
2022

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.

Who Do We Beg From?

Tuesday
,
November
22
2022

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.

How Do We Long For Union?

Tuesday
,
November
15
2022

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

SikhRI wishes you a joyful Gurpurab!

Tuesday
,
November
8
2022

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

Which Way Guides Us To Life’s Beauty?

Tuesday
,
November
1
2022

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.

Renewing Our Commitment To The Light!

Tuesday
,
October
25
2022

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

May We Yearn To Feel This Grace Together!

Tuesday
,
October
18
2022

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.

Where Do We Place Our Love?

Tuesday
,
October
11
2022

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.

Why Do We Seek Knowledge?

Tuesday
,
October
4
2022

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.

What is The Narrative Of The Boundless One?

Tuesday
,
September
27
2022

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.

How Does One Become Fortunate?

Tuesday
,
September
20
2022

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...

May We Yearn To Serve!

Tuesday
,
September
13
2022

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.

To Be Truly Fragrant!

Tuesday
,
September
6
2022

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. 

Yearn For That Source of Eternal Comfort!

Tuesday
,
August
30
2022

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.

What Is ‘This’ Mystery?

Tuesday
,
August
23
2022

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

Which Freedom Are We Seeking?

Tuesday
,
August
16
2022

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?

How Can We Swim Gracefully?

Tuesday
,
August
9
2022

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?

Yearning to Become Free!

Tuesday
,
April
19
2022

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.

Yearning Grace

Tuesday
,
March
29
2022

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.

Yearning To Enter The Sanctuary!

Tuesday
,
March
1
2022

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.

Our Root

Tuesday
,
January
4
2022

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.