Inni Kaur is Creative Director at the Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI). She has served SikhRI in several capacities since 2010, including Chair of the Board, and most recently as CEO.
She is a frequent speaker at community and interfaith events, the U.S. Office of the Pentagon Chaplin, and several universities. She is a passionate author, poet, and artist. Her published works include Journey with the Gurus, a children’s book series inspired by the life and teachings of Guru Nanak Sahib, Sakhi-Time with Nani ji, Thank-You Vahiguru, Daddy’s Turban, and The Story of Us.
She is passionately involved in transcreating Sabad (Infinite-Wisdom) and the writings of Bhai Vir Singh.
To Inni, every single day is a celebration. Her writing is inspired by that same outlook on life, as well as Sikh thought. While she writes anytime the spirit moves her, she thoroughly enjoys watching the clouds pass her, taking long mindful walks to appreciate nature’s innate beauty, and painting abstract artwork.
Inni Kaur resides with her family in the United States.
Guru Gobind Singh Sahib was the 10th and last Guru of the Sikhs in a line of Prophets stretching from the 15th to the early 18th century that resulted in the formation of Sikhi: New Faith and its Followers.
In the melodic strains of Rag Gond, Guru Ramdas Sahib's Sabad resonates with a triumphant yet humble spirit, reflecting a balanced perspective on spiritual attainment.
My mind burns deeply for All-Pervasive’s experience, as the thirsty without water. 1. My mind is pierced by the arrow of All-Pervasive’s love. My All-Pervasive Divine knows my pain, my mind’s internal pain. Reflect. Whoever tells my All-Pervasive Beloved’s narrative is my Bhai1, my brother. 2. Girl-friends, unite, unite, imbibe the resolute wisdom of the Eternal Guru, Recount the virtues of my Divine. 3. O! All-Pervasive, fulfill servant Nanak’s wish, Seeing All-Pervasive, body quietens. 4. Honorific title in Sikh tradition for the eminent narrators of the Guru. Guru Ramdas Sahib in Rag Gond | Guru Granth Sahib 861 ਗੋਂਡ ਮਹਲਾ ੪ ॥ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸਨ ਕਉ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨੁ ਬਹੁ ਤਪਤੈ ਜਿਉ ਤ੍ਰਿਖਾਵੰਤੁ ਬਿਨੁ ਨੀਰ ॥੧॥ ਮੇਰੈ ਮਨਿ ਪ੍ਰੇਮੁ ਲਗੋ ਹਰਿ ਤੀਰ ॥ ਹਮਰੀ ਬੇਦਨ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਜਾਨੈ ਮੇਰੇ ਮਨ ਅੰਤਰ ਕੀ ਪੀਰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥ ਮੇਰੇ ਹਰਿ ਪ੍ਰੀਤਮ ਕੀ ਕੋਈ ਬਾਤ ਸੁਨਾਵੈ ਸੋ ਭਾਈ ਸੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਬੀਰ ॥੨॥ ਮਿਲੁ ਮਿਲੁ ਸਖੀ ਗੁਣ ਕਹੁ ਮੇਰੇ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਕੇ ਲੇ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕੀ ਮਤਿ ਧੀਰ ॥੩॥ ਜਨ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਹਰਿ ਆਸ ਪੁਜਾਵਹੁ ਹਰਿ ਦਰਸਨਿ ਸਾਂਤਿ ਸਰੀਰ ॥੪॥੬॥
To the world, he is Bhai Vir Singh, the “Sixth River of Panjab.” To me, he is simply Pitaji. There are no family or blood ties, but there is a bond that transcends time and space.
This Sakhi is an excerpt from "Journey with the Gurus" volume 3 by Inni Kaur.
Inni Kaur recites a translation from the original writings of Bhai Vir Singh.
2019 would mark the 550th Prakash Purab (Illumination Day) of Guru Nanak Sahib. To commemorate this monumental event SikhRI is launching a children’s audio story series in English and Panjabi based on the life and travels of Guru Nanak Sahib.
In this special Valentine’s Day podcast, Inni Kaur explores the epic Panjabi love stories mentioned in the Varan of Bhai Gurdas.
In this episode, we explore what happened during Guru Nanak Sahib’s “janeu” ceremony. When Guru ji was eleven years old, Pandit Hardyal, the family priest, told his parents, Pita Kalu ji and Mata Tripta ji, that now was his time for the “janeu” ceremony.
ਸੂਹੀ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ਸੁਚਜੀ ॥ ਜਾ ਤੂ ਤਾ ਮੈ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਤੂ ਸਾਹਿਬੁ ਮੇਰੀ ਰਾਸਿ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਤੁਧੁ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਹਉ ਸੁਖਿ ਵਸਾ ਤੂੰ ਅੰਤਰਿ ਸਾਬਾਸਿ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਭਾਣੈ ਤਖਤਿ ਵਡਾਈਆ ਭਾਣੈ ਭੀਖ ਉਦਾਸਿ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਭਾਣੈ ਥਲ ਸਿਰਿ ਸਰੁ ਵਹੈ ਕਮਲੁ ਫੁਲੈ ਆਕਾਸਿ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਭਾਣੈ ਭਵਜਲੁ ਲੰਘੀਐ ਭਾਣੈ ਮੰਝਿ ਭਰੀਆਸਿ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਭਾਣੈ ਸੋ ਸਹੁ ਰੰਗੁਲਾ ਸਿਫਤਿ ਰਤਾ ਗੁਣਤਾਸਿ ਜੀਉ ਭਾਣੈ ਸਹੁ ਭੀਹਾਵਲਾ ਹਉ ਆਵਣਿ ਜਾਣਿ ਮੁਈਆਸਿ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਤੂ ਸਹੁ ਅਗਮੁ ਅਤੋਲਵਾ ਹਉ ਕਹਿ ਕਹਿ ਢਹਿ ਪਈਆਸਿ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਕਿਆ ਮਾਗਉ ਕਿਆ ਕਹਿ ਸੁਣੀ ਮੈ ਦਰਸਨ ਭੂਖ ਪਿਆਸਿ ਜੀਉ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੀ ਸਹੁ ਪਾਇਆ ਸਚੁ ਨਾਨਕ ਕੀ ਅਰਦਾਸਿ ਜੀਉ ॥੨॥ O’ Life of life! O’ Breath of breath! When You are with me, I have all wealth. O’ Life of life! O’ Breath of breath! When You are within me, comfort, grandeur exists within me. O’ Life of life! O’ Breath of breath! In Your Will, I sit on a majestic throne. In Your Will, I wander begging. O’ Life of life! O’ Breath of breath! In Your Will, water flows in drylands. In Your Will, lotus blooms in the sky. O’ Life of life! O’ Breath of breath! In Your Will, I cross the world-ocean. In Your Will, I drown. O’ Life of life! O’ Breath of breath! In Your Will, I get colored by Husband. I am absorbed in the treasure-house of virtues. O’ Life of life! O’ Breath of breath! In Your Will, Husband seems fearful, hence - I go through birth-death-cycles. O’ Life of life! O’ Breath of breath! In Your Will, Husband is unweighable, unreachable. I fall down acknowledging. O’ Life of life! O’ Breath of breath! What to ask, what to say, what to listen? I hunger and thirst for Your vision. O’ Life of life! O’ Breath of breath! In Gur Sabad1 I met Husband. This is Nanak’s true prayer. 2. 1. Guru Nanak Sahib in Rag Suhi | Guru Granth Sahib 762 *The wisdom learnt from the Guru. Popularly refers to the hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib.
"I have been yearning to experience a silent retreat. Not a structured one but a personal one. Being somewhat of a recluse, I just cannot see myself in a structured environment. It goes against my very core."
This essay encapsulates the extraordinary journey of Mata Gujri ji, a beacon of courage, faith, and sacrifice. As the wife of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib and the grandmother of the Sahibzadeys, her steadfast devotion illuminated Sikh history.
This interview delves into the profound reflections of author Ajeet Cour, a witness to both the 1947 Partition and the 1984 Ghallughara, and her daughter, artist Arpana Caur.
“In Memory & Resolve” reflects on the layered significance of October 31st for Sikhs, honoring both Bandi Chor Divas—a celebration of liberation—and the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Sikh Genocide.
This essay reflects on the sacred nature of giving, inspired by Guru Amardas Sahib's and Baba Mohri ji's narrative. It explores the importance of honoring the trust placed in us when we receive resources meant for the greater good.
Embark on the profound journey of Baba Banda Singh Bahadar, the guardian of Panjab's heritage.
In this reflective essay marking the 450th Coronation Anniversary of Guru Ramdas Sahib, we journey through the profound life of the Guru—from his humble beginnings in Chuna Mandi to his transformative role in Sikh history.