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.
This Sakhi is an excerpt from "Journey with the Gurus" volume 3 by Inni Kaur.
In "Journey with the Gurus" volume 2, the story of "Sajjan Transformed" is a re-telling of the encounter between Sajjan the thug and Guru Nanak. The presentation relies on easy to understand "child-friendly" English and a rich contemporary imagery to convey the message of change and service that lies at the heart of this Sakhee.
Inni Kaur shares a saakhi from Journey With the Gurus Volume II. In "All Rivers are Sacred" we hear of Guruji's journey to Hardwar and his thoughtful conversations with the Pandits about their water rituals at the Ganga River.
Panelists: Inni Kaur, Jagdeep Singh, Navjot Kaur & Parveen Kaur Dhillon Moderator: Jasmine Kaur In light of the recent resources that have been developed for Sikh children and the growing strength of the movement to express the need for them in the community, SikhRI will host a panel discussion webinar with a handful of those whose creations for Sikh children have been widely influential in recent years. Developing these resources for the diasporic community comes with its own challenges and successes, and this forum will allow the authors and developers to share their own thought processes and the source of their creative passion. Ideas will also be presented for using these resources in the classroom and at home. During the Q&A, there will be time for the attendees to engage in dialogue about what other resources they see a need for.
Join us as Inni Kaur takes us through Chapter 2 - The Janeu Story from Journey with the Gurus, a children's book about Guru Nanak Sahib. Bring your imagination, a blanket and a stuffed toy!
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."
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. These well-loved stories will help to initiate Sikh children into the Guru’s life and his teachings in a non-judgmental way.
In this immersive poem, Inni Kaur recites her piece Love's Countless Yearning. The poem is from the perspective of a seeker of the guru – Guru Nanak Sahib. "The love-arrow has pierced my heart. I yearn for union. When will my destiny awaken? When will my longing be fulfilled? ..."
Inni Kaur talks about how she discovered Bibi Nanki's Brother, Bhai Mardana's friends. "It freed the people. The hold of the middleman was over. The Guru freed and uplifted further." – Guru Nanak Sahib
In this poignant reflection, Inni Kaur shares her awakening from a cultural Sikh to a deeply connected follower, driven by the pain and loss of June 1984.
River Chenab is one of the five rivers of Panjab, now straddling two countries: India and Pakistan. Its journey starts in the Himalayas and it flows through Kashmir and into the plains of Punjab. It is an integral part of Punjabi literature and folklore, known as the River of Romance: many of the timeless love epics of Punjab, including that of Sohni and Mahiwal, revolve this river.
Guru Arjan Sahib’s sabad reveals the grip of pride and Maya’s illusion. Liberation comes by heeding the wise, shedding desires, and surrendering to the Guru’s Grace
The following remarks were delivered by Inni Kaur, Chair Sikh Research institute, at the Pentagon’s second Vaisakhi event to commemorate the Sikh faith on May 1, 2015. Hosted by the Office of the Pentagon Chaplain, the program was organized by Major Kalsi, Captain Rattan, Corporal Lamba, and the Sikh Coalition.
Sidak is a transformative educational experience designed for young Sikh adults aged 18 to 39. It brings together seekers from all over the world to learn, grow, and lead with purpose.