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

Thursday
,
10
August
2017

Where do I go to learn about Sikhi?

SikhRi presents Part 4 of a six-part series featuring videos where we provide answers to fundamental questions.

watch now ⟶
Thursday
,
10
August
2017

What is the goal of a Sikh?

SikhRi presents Part 3 of a six-part series featuring videos where we provide answers to fundamental questions.

watch now ⟶
Thursday
,
10
August
2017

Why should I fear God?

SikhRi presents Part 2 of a six-part series featuring videos where we provide answers to fundamental questions.

watch now ⟶
Thursday
,
10
August
2017

What is God to a Sikh?

SikhRi presents Part 1 of a six-part series featuring videos where we provide answers to fundamental questions.

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
21
March
2017

Panjabi Poets Saluting ‘Emperor-Prophet’

Discussed topics: • Context of 350th Prakash Purab (Illumination Day) Commemorations • Tribute to Guru Gobind Singh Sahib, Nanak the Tenth Sovereign • Sikh, Hindu and Muslim Poets from Land of Five Rivers • Celebration to mark World Poetry Day on 21 Mar 2017 • Life, Legacy & Impact on Panjab, South Asia, and Globe About the Presenter: Harinder Singh is a widely respected educator and thinker who is deeply in love with 1Force, the Oneness that radiates in all. Mr. Singh co-founded the Sikh Research Institute and the Panjab Digital Library, organized the Free Akal Takht movement, and envisioned Kaur and Singh Academy. He is an author and sought after public speaker, raising consciousness of audience around the world.

watch now ⟶
Saturday
,
24
September
2016

Harinder Singh - "Bhai Vir Singh: Vision & Leadership"

This presentation surveys details of Bhai Vir Singh’s life. It attempts to present Bhai Sahib’s life story, highlighting various aspects of his Sikh and Panjabi life. 

watch now ⟶

Podcasts

Friday
,
9
October
2020

Sikhi & Sexuality

Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) has released its sixth report in the State of the Panth series titled Sikhi & Sexuality, exploring how Sikhi has influenced the collective behavior of the Sikhs when it comes to sex, pleasure, and procreation.

watch now ⟶
Friday
,
2
October
2020

What's Happening: The Farmer Protests in Panjab

On September 20th, of this year, the Indian government passes a farming reform bill that makes sweeping changes in agricultural practices throughout the country. What has followed since then are mass protests by farmers alleging that the changes threaten their livelihood. Manpreet Singh and Harinder Singh come together to discuss what and why this is happening now, what is in the bill and what this could mean for the future of farmers in India.

watch now ⟶
Friday
,
11
September
2020

Giani Dit Singh & Caste Dynamics: Surinder Singh Jodhka

Hear Harinder Singh and Surinder Singh Jodhka in a cross-continental conversation on historical and contemporary caste dynamics through the life and times of Giani Dit Singh. 

watch now ⟶
Monday
,
9
October
2017

I am Nothing, I have Nothing, Nothing is Mine

The Sabad opens with a poignant tale of selflessness, where one assumes the role of a disguiser to protect the honor of the king's daughter. Despite harboring lustful and selfish desires, the individual's act preserves honor, highlighting the...

watch now ⟶
Monday
,
6
November
2017

"First, Allah created Light. All beings are of Creation”

First, Allah1 created Light. All beings are of Creation.The entire universe was created from One Light—Who’s good, who’s bad? 1. O! People, O! Brother,doubt not, forget not.Creator, Creation,Creator within Creation,totally permeating all spaces. 1. Reflect Creator created many forms from one clay.Flawless is the clay pot, flawless is the Potter. 2. Within all is the same Eternal One.All things occur because of the One.Call that person the Banda,2who recognizes Hukam3 and knows the One. 3. Allah is imperceptible, cannot be perceived,Guru granted sweet jaggery-perception.Kabir says: My doubt destroyed,seeing Immaculate everywhere. 4. Bhagat Kabir ji in Rag Prabhati | Guru Granth Sahib 1349 1. The God in Arabic.2. Divines’ Own being.3. Literally, Order or Divine Will. Sikhi: To be in harmony with the Divine. ਪ੍ਰਭਾਤੀ ॥ ਅਵਲਿ ਅਲਹ ਨੂਰੁ ਉਪਾਇਆ ਕੁਦਰਤਿ ਕੇ ਸਭ ਬੰਦੇ ॥ਏਕ ਨੂਰ ਤੇ ਸਭੁ ਜਗੁ ਉਪਜਿਆ ਕਉਨ ਭਲੇ ਕੋ ਮੰਦੇ ॥੧॥ਲੋਗਾ ਭਰਮਿ ਨ ਭੂਲਹੁ ਭਾਈ ॥ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਖਲਕ ਖਲਕ ਮਹਿ ਖਾਲਿਕੁ ਪੂਰਿ ਰਹਿਓ ਸ੍ਰਬ ਠਾਂਈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ਮਾਟੀ ਏਕ ਅਨੇਕ ਭਾਂਤਿ ਕਰਿ ਸਾਜੀ ਸਾਜਨਹਾਰੈ ॥ਨਾ ਕਛੁ ਪੋਚ ਮਾਟੀ ਕੇ ਭਾਂਡੇ ਨਾ ਕਛੁ ਪੋਚ ਕੁੰਭਾਰੈ ॥੨॥ਸਭ ਮਹਿ ਸਚਾ ਏਕੋ ਸੋਈ ਤਿਸ ਕਾ ਕੀਆ ਸਭੁ ਕਛੁ ਹੋਈ ॥ਹੁਕਮੁ ਪਛਾਨੈ ਸੁ ਏਕੋ ਜਾਨੈ ਬੰਦਾ ਕਹੀਐ ਸੋਈ ॥੩॥ਅਲਹੁ ਅਲਖੁ ਨ ਜਾਈ ਲਖਿਆ ਗੁਰਿ ਗੁੜੁ ਦੀਨਾ ਮੀਠਾ ॥ਕਹਿ ਕਬੀਰ ਮੇਰੀ ਸੰਕਾ ਨਾਸੀ ਸਰਬ ਨਿਰੰਜਨੁ ਡੀਠਾ ॥੪॥੩॥

watch now ⟶
Tuesday
,
12
December
2017

Sikh Cast Ep63 - "Ignorance-era is the carafe”

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.

watch now ⟶

Articles

Tuesday
,
28
February
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 08: That One

In the eighth composition of the “Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10” (popularly Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10) series, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib questions how That One can be said to be in one human form.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Tuesday
,
21
February
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 07: Creator Death

In the seventh composition of the “Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10” (popularly Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10) series, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib locates the Creator as the Death; there is no god or messenger of death to fear.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Tuesday
,
14
February
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 06: Beloved Friend

In the sixth composition of the “Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10” (popularly Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10) series, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib calls on his 1-Beloved-Friend on behalf of the Khalsa in the forests of Machhiwara.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Tuesday
,
7
February
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 05: Creator Ruler

In the fifth composition of the “Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10” (popularly Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10) series, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib emphatically declares that anyone created or formed by the 1 cannot be confused with the 1 and...

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Tuesday
,
31
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 04: Divine Protector

In the fourth composition of the “Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10” (popularly Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10) series, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib proclaims to the world that he seeks the protection from only the 1-Divine; his honor and dignity are with the 1.

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶
Tuesday
,
24
January
2023

Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10 - Sabad 03: Mentor Specified

In the third composition of the “Sabad Hajare Patisahi 10” (popularly Shabad Hazare Patshahi 10) series, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib emphasizes seeking mentorship from the 1. 

This is some text inside of a div block.
Read more ⟶

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.

Learn More ⟶