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!
Do you know about Bhumi? The rich landlord from Dhaka, India? Well, if you don’t know of him, hit the play button. This is a sakhi you’re not going to want to miss. There’s a reason why Bhumi was so rich.
Introducing Paigham-i-Goya: Expression of Love, new translations of a selection of ghazals from Bhai Nand Lal “Goya.” Today’s podcast begins with a recitation of Bhai Nand Lal’s ghazal in Persian, followed by a new English transcreation, the result of a unique collaboration between Dr. Fatima Fayyaz and Dr. Nadhra Khan of Lahore University of Management Sciences, Damanpreet Singh, writer, and graduate student, and Inni Kaur of SikhRI, followed by a discussion between Daman and Inni about the beauty of the ghazal and the transcreation process. Follow Damanpreet and Inni as they discuss their learnings and challenges while engaging with the words of Bhai Nand Lal. The unique and symbolic meanings that these ghazals reveal are a treat for those who yearn to get a glimpse into the court of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. Author: Bhai Nand Lal “Goya” Collection: Divan-i-Goya Transcreators: Fatima Fayyaz, Inni Kaur, Nadhra Khan, and Damanpreet Singh Persian Narrator: Gholamhossein Sajadi English Narrator: Ryan Gillis Persian کسی به حالِ غریبان بی نوا نرسد از آنکه هیچ بدان کوی دلربا نرسد هزار خلد برین را به نیم جو نخرند! رسیده ایم به جایی که بادشاه نرسد طبیبِ عشق چنین گفته است می گویند به حالِ درد غریبان به جز خدا نرسد برای روشنی چشمِ دل اگر خواهی! به خاکِ درگه او هیچ توتیا نرسد به یادِ دوست توان عمر را بسر بردن که در برابرِ آن هیچ کیمیا نرسد تمامِ دولتِ گیتی فدای خاکِ درش که تا فداش نگردد کسی به جا نرسد فدای خاکِ درش می شود از آن گویا که هر که خاک نگردد به مدعا نرسد English Translation No one looks after the state of the helpless wanderers, As no one ever reaches the Beloved’s lane. A thousand heavens are not worth half a grain of barley, As where we are is far beyond the reach of monarchs. The one who is called the physician of love is known to have said, That no one but God can heal the pain of these wanderers. If you want to light up the heart’s eye, The finest kohl is no match to the dust of His threshold. It’s worth spending one’s life remembering the Beloved, As there is no alchemy equivalent to that. All the world’s wealth can be given up for the dust of His door, As unless one surrenders to Him, no one reaches anywhere. Goya surrenders to the dust of His door, As the destination cannot be reached unless one turns into dust.
The next sakhi takes us to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Around the year 1525, Guru ji and Bhai Mardana arrived in Mecca. Guru ji’s interaction with the qazi (a Muslim scholar) was very shaky at first because the qazi thought Guru ji was disrespectful.
Vahiguru exists in everyone – even in those who don’t embody what Guru ji stood for. Surprisingly, mean people also have Vahiguru in them; they just have forgotten that. All they need is a special reminder from a place of love that Vahiguru is in them.
Follow Damanpreet and Inni as they discuss their learnings and challenges while engaging with the words of Bhai Nand Lal.
Journey with Inni Kaur as she shares her learnings from the three Sabads of Guru Teghbahadar Sahib in Rag Devgandhari through Bhai Vir Singh’s expositions. Transcendence lies not in the wishful disappearance of opposition from without but in the resolution within to disregard and rise above it. How do we rise from the fragmented universe of our fears? How do we rejuvenate from within to attain the fullest human stature?
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.
Discover the essence of Sikhi in "Legacy of 1984: Rising Voices," a poetic tribute that delves into the indomitable spirit of Sikhs during tumultuous times.
Whispers of the Beloved: Reflections in Spring is a poetic odyssey intertwining the beauty of nature's awakening with the seeker's quest for spiritual connection.
In Bhai Nand Lal’s fifty-fifth ghazal, the recurring word dīdam (to perceive) reflects various modes of perception, from seeing to realizing. The ghazal opens with the Beloved revealed not externally but within the pupil of the poet’s own eyes...
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.