Weekly Inspiration

Today marks the Prakash Purab (illumination celebration) of Guru Nanak Sahib's arrival in the physical world nearly five and a half centuries ago.

Today, we remember the martyrdom of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib and his three devoted Sikhs. In Sikh history, Sahib Guru Tehgbahadar, the sword-warrior, is described with great reverence.

In a world riddled with chaos and strife, our yearning for genuine peace and comfort often seems as distant and elusive as a mirage on the horizon. The relentless tumult surrounding us inflicts a profound disturbance, at times bordering on trauma. Ho

Today, the SikhRI team and the global sangat celebrate Bandi Chor Divas – the Emancipation Day!

In the ever-changing world, where chaos and uncertainty often leave us pondering and anxious about the elusive concept of stability, Guru Teghbahadar Sahib's words in the fifty-sixth stanza of Salok Mahala 9 resonate deeply.

As we step into November, our gaze turns to a chapter of history that, although marked by pain and sorrow, carries a profound message of resilience, unity, and the unwavering human spirit.

The silk-cotton tree is straight as an arrow, very tall and thick. Those birds who come having hope return hopelessly, for what reason? Its fruits are bland, its flowers tasteless, and its leaves are useless.

The Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) team joyfully joins the global Sikh community in celebrating the 20th of October, a significant day marking the Gurgaddi Divas, or Coronation Day, of Guru Harikrishan Sahib and Guru-Eternal Guru Granth Sahib.

In the profound verses of Guru Ramdas Sahib, we have the privilege of contemplating the extraordinary nature of our human bodies through the Ghoria composition.

What is love? It's a question that has perplexed philosophers, poets, and truth seekers throughout the ages. Today, we explore love deeply through Guru Nanak Sahib's composition in the Maru Kaphi rag (musical mode).

There exists an eternal truth that transcends time and space—a force undeniable, guiding, protecting, and nurturing those who seek it.

The Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) team joins the global Sikh community in commemorating 18 September as the Gurgaddi Divas, Coronation Day, of Guru Angad Sahib.

In the depths of contemplation, one uncovers the essence of Sikhi's central principle: the recognition of Divinity in all things. This profound understanding guides the path of Sikh behavior and shapes its core values.

At the heart of Sikhi lies the revered Guru Granth Sahib, an eternal source of guidance and wisdom that encompasses every facet of a Sikh's existence.

Today is the Guru Granth Sahib's first prakash purab (illumination day). On this day in 1604, the Guru Granth Sahib was inaugurated and ceremoniously opened within the revered Harimandar Sahib in Amritsar. It took the form of the Adi Granth Sahib.

How do we learn to love? Is it an action, a feeling, or something much more profound? Imagine for a moment the love that exists between a fish and water. The fish doesn't possess water; it doesn't claim ownership or criticize it. Instead, the fish's

What does it truly mean to be free? How do we attain liberation?

Bhagat Pipa is one of the fifteen Bhagat contributors to the Guru Granth Sahib, whose mesmerizing composition rests on page 695.

We invite the seekers of Nam, Identification of IkOankar, to enter the fourth composition of So Daru, “That Door or Court.”

In the Guru Granth Sahib, pages 296 to 300 house the revealed composition of Guru Arjan Sahib, Gauri Thiti. The composition consists of seventeen pauris(stanzas) accompanied by saloks (couplets) spoken by Guru Arjan Sahib.

Miri-Piri encapsulates the Political-Spiritual doctrine in Sikhi, rooted in the worldly and the timeless and sovereignty beyond the nation-states. Miri comes from Perso-Arabic “Amir” or “Emir” and signals political power.

Who is this mysterious being that we call the One, the 1Force, the Creator, the Divine?

The Sikh world commemorates 2 July as the foundation day of Sri Akal Takht Sahib.

Within the Guru Granth Sahib lies a beautiful composition known as Gatha. Two perspectives exist regarding the origin of this composition within the traditional commentary of the Guru Granth Sahib.

Today we commemorate Guru Arjan Sahib’s martyrdom, the Sovereign of the Halemi Raj. Peace is the abiding nature of the Guru's benign dominion, where no one troubles or dominates anyone.

We enter the month of Harh (15 June-16 July). The Earth suffers pain; the fire of the sun sears and dries up vegetation. The sun’s fire dries up the vegetation’s sap; one dies from the scorching heat, yet that sun does not give up its action.

Thirty-nine years have passed since the attack by the Government of India on the Golden Temple complex - Sri Harimandar Sahib and Akal Takht Sahib - and about 90 gurduras throughout the Panjab, as per the latest count.

In a fast-paced and constantly evolving society, where instant gratification and self-centeredness often take precedence, reverence seems antiquated or even forgotten.

In today’s world, many individuals claim to possess the sacred “Amrit, the Aab-i-Hayat, the Maha Ras, the Fount of Nectar.” These self-proclaimed “chosen ones” assert that they can bestow this divine elixir upon those not chosen.

We enter the month of Jeth (mid-May- mid-June). Temperatures are rising. Heat is pervading. The deserts are burning. The land and the waters are heating. The days are getting longer; the nights are getting shorter.

In Asa Ki Var, the Song of Hope, Guru Nanak Sahib takes us through the journey of realizing IkOankar, 1Force to feeling Nam-Identification,1Ness, and allowing the 1-Ness to transform us.

In the third Sabad of So Daru, Guru Nanak Sahib invokes the mother figure and shares the human struggle. Whenever the mother figure is invoked, the conversation is candid and personal.

In the seventh ballad of Asa Ki Var, the Song of Hope, Guru Nanak Sahib enlightens us about the ego—the ego not as something one-dimensional and inherently negative but as a sense of self, or I-ness.

Freedom is the best of human conditions. It includes the inner freedom of will and the external freedom of the environment.

We commemorate the momentous inauguration of the Khalsa Panth today—the beloved of Sahib Guru Gobind Singh.

Guru Nanak Sahib in the Arti Sabad reveals That One whose Light is in all is the Embodiment of Light. By the radiance of "That One," there is Light in all.

Sidak (faith) is that Divine-given ability, when realized, brings the unseen into the seen, and the impossible becomes possible.

Professor Puran Singh (1881–1931) writes, “The Guru views the whole history of the human race as the history of new incarnations of Feeling, the One Primeval, the One Ancient that creates life.”

The foundational doctrine of the Sikh faith propagates integration, not division, to uplift human dignity. The Sikh culture, as envisioned in the Guru Granth Sahib and created by the Ten Nanaks, insists on the dignity and respect of all human beings.

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.

Guru Nanak Sahib, in the second stanza of Asa Ki Var, Song of Hope, focuses on Truth and its various forms. It is about things being “True” with a capital T. When we think of something as being True, we are saying that it will remain forever, unwaver

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.