Harinder Singh

Senior Fellow, Research & Policy

Harinder Singh is the Senior Fellow at the Sikh Research Institute. He holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Wichita State University, an MS in Engineering Management from the University of Kansas, and an MPhil from Punjab University in the linguistics of the Guru Granth Sahib. 

He co-founded the Sikh Research Institute and the Panjab Digital Library, envisioned the Kaur and Singh Academy, and organized the Free Akal Takht campaign.

He appears on radio and television programs and speaks at universities, parliaments, museums, conferences, and civic institutions. He has authored several books and numerous articles integrating the political and the spiritual. He consults on curriculums, exhibitions, and films and is featured in many documentaries on the Sikhs, the Panjab, and South Asian matters.

His current focus is on developing critical thinking for Sikh institutions via the State of the Panth report series and developing open-source decoding of Guru Granth Sahib in contemporary Panjabi and English for a global audience.

He has served on the National Conference on Community and Justice boards, The Fellowship of Activists to Embrace Humanity, The Nanakshahi Trust, among others. He looks for culturally-specific things to experience and a light roast pour-over coffee to sip during travels, reads and binge-watches to stay in touch with what the world is up to, and listens to sabads, poetry, Hir, jazz, and political rap.

Harinder Singh resides with his family in the United States.

Videos

Tuesday
,
1
June
2021

Session 2: Connecting Through Sabad

Session 2 - Connecting Through Sabad: Diveesh Singh, Jasleen Kaur, Kiran Kaur, and Satprit Kaur share transcreating techniques with the participants to strengthen their connection with Guru through Sabad.

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Tuesday
,
1
June
2021

1984: Ghallughara and I

Harinder Singh dives into the events of June and November 1984, the myths and realities of the attacks, their importance in a Sikh context, and a vision for the future that is rooted in progress and justice.

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Wednesday
,
26
May
2021

Harinder Singh speaks at The Sikh Forum Memorial Tribute

Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Pushpindar Singh Chopra, Kamaljit Singh Ahluwalia and Jarnail Singh.

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Saturday
,
8
May
2021

Sikhs, Statecraft & Civil Society

This conversation touches upon lessons and guidance to the Sikh community on how to pursue advocacy, long-term strategies, and building coalitions via both positive and not-so-positive case studies from the Afghan-Sikh crisis to the Farmers movement.

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Wednesday
,
14
April
2021

Khalsa Inauguration, Indian Subcontinent & Freedom Solidarity

Watch the entire conversation on how the Khalsa inauguration on Vaisakhi day in 1699 infused the Sikhs and gave them a structure of ideas and institutions that continue to shape their lives both individually and collectively.

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Wednesday
,
31
March
2021

Sultan-ul-Duniya Wal-Akhirat: The Sovereign of the World and the Hereafter

Harinder Singh speaks about the Sikh historical narratives that live in the psyche of the Guru Khalsa Panth, the flag-bearers of the Sikh collective.

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Podcasts

Tuesday
,
7
February
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 05: Creator Ruler

In this sixth podcast, Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur explore Guru Gobind Singh Sahib’s utterances on the Creator Ruler, and his guidance of considering IkOankar as the only true Ruler.

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Tuesday
,
31
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 04: Divine Protector

In this fifth podcast, Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur explore Guru Gobind Singh Sahib’s many invocations of divine names and attributes and their contexts in larger Indic systems.

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Tuesday
,
24
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 03: Mentor Specified

In this fourth podcast, Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur discuss what it means to attach to the feet of the Supreme Being, the poisons we are collecting, and the remembrance we are being asked to collect instead.

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Monday
,
16
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 02: Yoga Disrupted

In this third podcast, Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur explore what it means to earn union in comparison to transactional relationships with the divine. 

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Tuesday
,
10
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 01: Renunciation Redefined

In this second podcast, Harinder Singh and Jasleen Kaur explore the context of Indic paradigms, rituals, systems, and popular understandings that the Guru addresses in his reframing of renunciation and non-attachment.

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Wednesday
,
4
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Introduction

Introducing Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 (Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10), new translations, and commentaries of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib's composition. This podcast is an introduction to the series.

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Articles

Tuesday
,
14
March
2017

Joy Comes Naturally in Spring

The Sikh calendar commenced in 1469 on the advent of Guru Nanak Sahib, founder of Sikhi, Nanak the Shah (Sovereign). Nanakshahi calendar begins with the month of Chet on March 14. It is springtime.

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Monday
,
20
March
2017

Charmer-Divine Permeates all Beings, in Water and on Land

Sabad is Infinite; we are very finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow, as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad.

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Monday
,
27
March
2017

For, if I Break With You, With Whom Would I Join?

In the melodic embrace of Rag Sorath, Bhagat Ravidas ji's Sabad paints a canvas of profound devotion and love, using the simplicity and sweetness of the rag to convey the depth of spiritual connection.

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Tuesday
,
4
April
2017

My Sovereign is New Every Day, Ever and Ever the Giver

Sabad is Infinite; we are very finite. This is our understanding at the moment, which was different yesterday and may evolve tomorrow, as we deepen our relationship with the Sabad.

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Monday
,
10
April
2017

Without Nam Life is Pointless

In the poignant rag of Jaitsari, Guru Ramdas Sahib's Sabad unfolds as a heartfelt expression of dependence and an intense yearning for the divine presence.

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Friday
,
14
April
2017

Nash Doctrine: Five Freedoms of Vaisakhi 1699

The initiation rites or ceremonies without a doctrine get reduced to mere meaningless rituals. Without the Nash doctrine, the Vaisakhi for the Sikhs can not be located as a transformative historical event.

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Presenting at Upcoming Events

Sun
,
Jan 12

Guru Nanak's Medicine for Life

Deakin University, Building LC

Join Harinder Singh as he discusses Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Medicine For Life.

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