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The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life
An inspiring approach to a happier, more fulfilling life through Sikh teachings on love and service.
As a boy growing up in South Texas, Simran Jeet Singh and his brothers confronted racism daily: at school, in their neighborhood, playing sports, and later in college and beyond. Despite the prejudice and hate he faced, this self-described "turban-wearing, brown-skinned, beard-loving Sikh" refused to give in to negativity. Instead, Singh delved deep into the Sikh teachings that he grew up with and embraced the lessons to seek the good in every person and situation and to find positive ways to direct his energy. These Sikh tenets of love and service to others have empowered him to forge a life of connection and a commitment to justice that have made him a national figure in the areas of equity, inclusion, and social justice.
The Light We Give lays out how we can learn to integrate ethical living to achieve personal happiness and a happier life. It speaks to those who are inspired to take on positive change but don't know where to begin. To those who crave the chance to be empathetic but are afraid of looking vulnerable. To those who seek the courage to confront hatred with love and compassion. Singh reaches beyond his comfort zone to practice this deeper form of living and explores how everyone can learn the insights and skills that have kept him engaged and led him to commit to activism without becoming consumed by anger, self-pity, or burnout.
Part memoir, part spiritual journey, The Light We Give is a transformative book of hope that shows how each of us can turn away from fear and uncertainty and move toward renewal and positive change.
As a boy growing up in South Texas, Simran Jeet Singh and his brothers confronted racism daily: at school, in their neighborhood, playing sports, and later in college and beyond. Despite the prejudice and hate he faced, this self-described "turban-wearing, brown-skinned, beard-loving Sikh" refused to give in to negativity. Instead, Singh delved deep into the Sikh teachings that he grew up with and embraced the lessons to seek the good in every person and situation and to find positive ways to direct his energy. These Sikh tenets of love and service to others have empowered him to forge a life of connection and a commitment to justice that have made him a national figure in the areas of equity, inclusion, and social justice.
The Light We Give lays out how we can learn to integrate ethical living to achieve personal happiness and a happier life. It speaks to those who are inspired to take on positive change but don't know where to begin. To those who crave the chance to be empathetic but are afraid of looking vulnerable. To those who seek the courage to confront hatred with love and compassion. Singh reaches beyond his comfort zone to practice this deeper form of living and explores how everyone can learn the insights and skills that have kept him engaged and led him to commit to activism without becoming consumed by anger, self-pity, or burnout.
Part memoir, part spiritual journey, The Light We Give is a transformative book of hope that shows how each of us can turn away from fear and uncertainty and move toward renewal and positive change.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published July 19, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
August 11, 2022
The Light We Give is part memoir/part inspiration based on Sikh principles. Simran Jeet Singh grows up in the South Texas where he faces daily bullying and racism because of his skin color and his turban.
Instead of becoming hardened, he used this experiences to further access the tenets of his religion. He shares those same principles in this book in an inspirational, approachable way.
I both read and listened to this one via @librofm, and the author narrates, which adds even more authenticity and sincerity.
One of my favorite chapters was about gratitude. I often read on this subject and am a work in progress in this area, and this still felt refreshing and reassuring.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
I received a gifted copy.
Instead of becoming hardened, he used this experiences to further access the tenets of his religion. He shares those same principles in this book in an inspirational, approachable way.
I both read and listened to this one via @librofm, and the author narrates, which adds even more authenticity and sincerity.
One of my favorite chapters was about gratitude. I often read on this subject and am a work in progress in this area, and this still felt refreshing and reassuring.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
I received a gifted copy.
July 29, 2022
This is such a wonderful book for people of all backgrounds. As a Sikh, I love how it introduces our religion and culture to people who may not know it. I also love how it simplifies key concepts from Sikh teachings without oversimplifying them or watering them down. I have always believed that Sikh philosophy has ideas that can help us all be happier in life. This book helps to share that through such beautiful writing and storytelling.
November 28, 2022
I heard Simran Jeet Singh speak at the Texas Book Festival. I was impressed with the things he said and the way he listened intently as others spoke. I was delighted to find and read his book.
The Light We Give is a memoir of Singh's experiences growing up, especially in the ways he had to face racism. The Light We Give is also a book about the Sikh faith, sharing its central tenets focusing on loving others, defining our values, and putting our values into practice.
The Light We Give is a memoir of Singh's experiences growing up, especially in the ways he had to face racism. The Light We Give is also a book about the Sikh faith, sharing its central tenets focusing on loving others, defining our values, and putting our values into practice.
July 18, 2022
✨✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨✨
Thank you @sikhprof and @riverhead for the advanced copy of In Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life (releases on July 19!!)
Simran Jeet Singh’s memoir is hard-hitting, moving, and thought-provoking begins with this powerful opening line: “I was eleven the first someone called me a terrorist.” These lines unfortunately are so familiar. As a woman of color and immigrant, these post 9/11 observations felt all too familiar as I breezed through Singh’s insightful memoir. When we had moved to the United States from Singapore in February 2001, our lives were going to change in September that year. Like Singh, my brother was called derogatory names but I saw firsthand when one of my best friends who is also a practicing Sikh like Singh but wears a dastaar “a woman’s turban) was also called Osama Bin Laden. Based in Texas, Singh shares with his readers the racism he faced growing up. However, like other memorialist like Eva Edgar (who wrote The Choice), Singh turns to spiritual learning of Sikhism to understand his roots and in many ways to celebrate them.
Furthermore, as a scholar of 1947 Partition, I felt connected to Singh as he shared his grandparent’s difficult journey from Western Punjab (now Pakistan) to Rohtak in India (Ms Marvel and Dr Who have both covered the Partition recently).
Singh’s memoir, thus, reveals the complex and nuanced world we inhabit in which contemporary and historical events continue to impact and shape our present. Singh’s memoir, I should also emphasize, is not didactic. Rather, it is an invitation to those unfamiliar to gain an insight into his life as a Sikh man navigating thriving in the post-9/11 United States that forces him to turn to spirituality to thrive in difficult circumstances shaped with often unspeakable traumas.
Spirituality and religion are another aspect that Singh highlights in his memoir. In fact, when Singh states “To this point in my life, I had dismissed religion…as a vestige of my ancestral village, a way of life that was outdated and out of touch.” Indeed, growing up in the diaspora like Singh, this narrative felt like I was reading words that had been brought up repeatedly in South Asian diaspora communities - the feeling of being mistaken for one religion over other - for facing prejudice because of the religion/identity they hold. For me, the title of his book stands out the most - that while we face hate and negativity, we hold the light within ourselves to find meaning in our lives. We need not return prejudice and judgement with more prejudice. Rather, offer acceptance and forgiveness to those who are ignorant, or prejudicial.
I cannot recommend this memoir more to anyone who wants to learn more about Sikh history and culture. I have always felt welcomed at Sikh gurudwaras and hope to go to Amritsar someday to visit the Golden Temple in India.
QQOTD ⁉️: Singh’s memoir speaks to turning to spirituality to forgive unimaginable and difficult circumstances. Growing up, we all have felt similar emotions and sentiments. Do you forgive those who have wronged you? How do you deal with difficult and toxic circumstances?
AOTD: I confess I think my mom was more forgiving than I am. While like Singh, I turned to spirituality during challenging times. I tend to be distant from those who have wronged me after giving countless chances, if things don’t change - I tend to walk away from the relationship. My mom used to not be happy with this aspect of me. 😆
#TheLightWeGive #SimranJeetSingh #Riverhead
# #bookstagram #instabook #bookphotography #bookporn #igbooks #ilovereading #bookhaul #bookhoarder #bookaddiction #bookstoread #whattoread #fortheloveofbooks #bookblogging #bookpics #weekendreads #bookrecs
Thank you @sikhprof and @riverhead for the advanced copy of In Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life (releases on July 19!!)
Simran Jeet Singh’s memoir is hard-hitting, moving, and thought-provoking begins with this powerful opening line: “I was eleven the first someone called me a terrorist.” These lines unfortunately are so familiar. As a woman of color and immigrant, these post 9/11 observations felt all too familiar as I breezed through Singh’s insightful memoir. When we had moved to the United States from Singapore in February 2001, our lives were going to change in September that year. Like Singh, my brother was called derogatory names but I saw firsthand when one of my best friends who is also a practicing Sikh like Singh but wears a dastaar “a woman’s turban) was also called Osama Bin Laden. Based in Texas, Singh shares with his readers the racism he faced growing up. However, like other memorialist like Eva Edgar (who wrote The Choice), Singh turns to spiritual learning of Sikhism to understand his roots and in many ways to celebrate them.
Furthermore, as a scholar of 1947 Partition, I felt connected to Singh as he shared his grandparent’s difficult journey from Western Punjab (now Pakistan) to Rohtak in India (Ms Marvel and Dr Who have both covered the Partition recently).
Singh’s memoir, thus, reveals the complex and nuanced world we inhabit in which contemporary and historical events continue to impact and shape our present. Singh’s memoir, I should also emphasize, is not didactic. Rather, it is an invitation to those unfamiliar to gain an insight into his life as a Sikh man navigating thriving in the post-9/11 United States that forces him to turn to spirituality to thrive in difficult circumstances shaped with often unspeakable traumas.
Spirituality and religion are another aspect that Singh highlights in his memoir. In fact, when Singh states “To this point in my life, I had dismissed religion…as a vestige of my ancestral village, a way of life that was outdated and out of touch.” Indeed, growing up in the diaspora like Singh, this narrative felt like I was reading words that had been brought up repeatedly in South Asian diaspora communities - the feeling of being mistaken for one religion over other - for facing prejudice because of the religion/identity they hold. For me, the title of his book stands out the most - that while we face hate and negativity, we hold the light within ourselves to find meaning in our lives. We need not return prejudice and judgement with more prejudice. Rather, offer acceptance and forgiveness to those who are ignorant, or prejudicial.
I cannot recommend this memoir more to anyone who wants to learn more about Sikh history and culture. I have always felt welcomed at Sikh gurudwaras and hope to go to Amritsar someday to visit the Golden Temple in India.
QQOTD ⁉️: Singh’s memoir speaks to turning to spirituality to forgive unimaginable and difficult circumstances. Growing up, we all have felt similar emotions and sentiments. Do you forgive those who have wronged you? How do you deal with difficult and toxic circumstances?
AOTD: I confess I think my mom was more forgiving than I am. While like Singh, I turned to spirituality during challenging times. I tend to be distant from those who have wronged me after giving countless chances, if things don’t change - I tend to walk away from the relationship. My mom used to not be happy with this aspect of me. 😆
#TheLightWeGive #SimranJeetSingh #Riverhead
# #bookstagram #instabook #bookphotography #bookporn #igbooks #ilovereading #bookhaul #bookhoarder #bookaddiction #bookstoread #whattoread #fortheloveofbooks #bookblogging #bookpics #weekendreads #bookrecs
August 9, 2022
4.5 stars. This was an inspiring book about one man’s journey to see the divinity in others. I enjoyed learning about the Sikh religion and how his faith helped him with his struggles and increased his compassion. He walked us through his changes in how he felt, saw others, and connected…a journey towards more love. I hope I can incorporate his practices and vision into my own life and work to see the light in everyone around me.
Way too many notes/quotes:
-Sevā (selflessly caring for others) – “On their own single acts of sevā might seem random, but taken together they bring light into our world and into each of us.”
-“While our world is filled with pain and suffering, and while our culture focuses on the negative, there is beauty all around us too. Noticing it can restore our faith in one another and in life itself.”
-“Seeking out those who have found goodness in the moments that seemed designed to bring out the worst in us. Those who, when faced with fight or flight have chosen neither, finding that middle path of grace and compassion even in the most extreme situations.”
-Compassion is born from connection
-Start by looking for the light in those that you already love and then start working from there…
Could we potentially expand love to every relationship we have in this world?
-We all have capacity for more than we think
-Sikh value of giving before you take - as children they could only keep two of their birthday gifts and gave the rest away to the kids in need
-Wearing a turban is an outward expression of his beliefs and the way he wants to live his life…a commitment to the kind of person he wants to be, a symbol of integrity
-“Why try to effect change without a guarantee of success?...we may not be able to fix all the problems or make our world perfect, but we can help the people around us who are suffering and through our efforts we can change ourselves, striving everyday to live a life of love and service will ultimately make us kinder, calmer, and happier.”
-Viewing divinity as light: “Light is something we can see all around us. Light is illuminating, ever-present, and connective. It brings clarity in moments of obscurity and uncertainty. The light is always there. The nature of the light doesn’t change. The sun is always shining. Our ability to see it depends on our position and perspective.”
-“The only truth I was sure of in my heart was that I never wanted to stop seeing the light in the people around me.”
-“I finally had a sense of how to nurture more compassion. I needed to connect with people on a deeper, more personal level, and I needed to do it in a way that would enable me to see our shared divinity.”
-Cultivating connection through sustained daily practice – “In one interaction each day, I would try to see and connect with the shared humanity of another person.” (Rules: 1-superficial commonalities don’t count…need an intentional and meaningful connection; 2-interactions can’t be repeated…find a new person to connect with every single day)
-“What we do, informs who we become, and how happy we are.” Think about this and reflect on how I spend my time and what changes I should make. (We are what we repeatedly do.)
-Changing our self in our attempts to love and serve others: “Giving to others helped accomplish precisely what I had hoped: I felt myself becoming less selfish, I was no longer the center of my own universe. And while that might sound scary and destabilizing, believe me when I say that it provided the most relief and freedom I had ever felt. No longer was I a prisoner to my own wants and desires. I could find happiness outside of myself. By decentering myself, I felt more centered and grounded than ever before.”
-Developing his inner strength: “I was building more power internally which was making it easier to do the right thing in other aspects of my life.”
-“Some may say that this is faking it until you make it, but the truth is that there is nothing fake when your practice is sincere. If you really believe in what you’re doing, then it’s just practice.”
-The man who constantly picked up trash in his community throughout his life: “It may not make a difference to you, but it makes a difference to me. My aim is to leave this world better than how I found it.”
-“Everyone can be great because everyone can serve. You don’t have to have a college education to serve. You don’t have to make your subjects and verbs agree to serve. You only need a full heart of grace.” MLK
-Some questions to ponder: 1-What will I do today to help someone I do not know; 2-What is one act of kindness I can do anonymously this week; 3-Who is suffering most in my community this month and what can I do to help them? 4-Who has been most neglected in the past year and how might I serve them?
-“There is a better way to interact with the world. We expect receiving to bring us happiness, but our hearts don’t work this way. Life is abundance and true fulfillment comes in caring for those we love.”
Way too many notes/quotes:
-Sevā (selflessly caring for others) – “On their own single acts of sevā might seem random, but taken together they bring light into our world and into each of us.”
-“While our world is filled with pain and suffering, and while our culture focuses on the negative, there is beauty all around us too. Noticing it can restore our faith in one another and in life itself.”
-“Seeking out those who have found goodness in the moments that seemed designed to bring out the worst in us. Those who, when faced with fight or flight have chosen neither, finding that middle path of grace and compassion even in the most extreme situations.”
-Compassion is born from connection
-Start by looking for the light in those that you already love and then start working from there…
Could we potentially expand love to every relationship we have in this world?
-We all have capacity for more than we think
-Sikh value of giving before you take - as children they could only keep two of their birthday gifts and gave the rest away to the kids in need
-Wearing a turban is an outward expression of his beliefs and the way he wants to live his life…a commitment to the kind of person he wants to be, a symbol of integrity
-“Why try to effect change without a guarantee of success?...we may not be able to fix all the problems or make our world perfect, but we can help the people around us who are suffering and through our efforts we can change ourselves, striving everyday to live a life of love and service will ultimately make us kinder, calmer, and happier.”
-Viewing divinity as light: “Light is something we can see all around us. Light is illuminating, ever-present, and connective. It brings clarity in moments of obscurity and uncertainty. The light is always there. The nature of the light doesn’t change. The sun is always shining. Our ability to see it depends on our position and perspective.”
-“The only truth I was sure of in my heart was that I never wanted to stop seeing the light in the people around me.”
-“I finally had a sense of how to nurture more compassion. I needed to connect with people on a deeper, more personal level, and I needed to do it in a way that would enable me to see our shared divinity.”
-Cultivating connection through sustained daily practice – “In one interaction each day, I would try to see and connect with the shared humanity of another person.” (Rules: 1-superficial commonalities don’t count…need an intentional and meaningful connection; 2-interactions can’t be repeated…find a new person to connect with every single day)
-“What we do, informs who we become, and how happy we are.” Think about this and reflect on how I spend my time and what changes I should make. (We are what we repeatedly do.)
-Changing our self in our attempts to love and serve others: “Giving to others helped accomplish precisely what I had hoped: I felt myself becoming less selfish, I was no longer the center of my own universe. And while that might sound scary and destabilizing, believe me when I say that it provided the most relief and freedom I had ever felt. No longer was I a prisoner to my own wants and desires. I could find happiness outside of myself. By decentering myself, I felt more centered and grounded than ever before.”
-Developing his inner strength: “I was building more power internally which was making it easier to do the right thing in other aspects of my life.”
-“Some may say that this is faking it until you make it, but the truth is that there is nothing fake when your practice is sincere. If you really believe in what you’re doing, then it’s just practice.”
-The man who constantly picked up trash in his community throughout his life: “It may not make a difference to you, but it makes a difference to me. My aim is to leave this world better than how I found it.”
-“Everyone can be great because everyone can serve. You don’t have to have a college education to serve. You don’t have to make your subjects and verbs agree to serve. You only need a full heart of grace.” MLK
-Some questions to ponder: 1-What will I do today to help someone I do not know; 2-What is one act of kindness I can do anonymously this week; 3-Who is suffering most in my community this month and what can I do to help them? 4-Who has been most neglected in the past year and how might I serve them?
-“There is a better way to interact with the world. We expect receiving to bring us happiness, but our hearts don’t work this way. Life is abundance and true fulfillment comes in caring for those we love.”
Read
August 19, 2022When I think about unconditional love in a relationship, a parent to child connection comes to mind (though, I recognize this is not universally true). After reading “The Light We Give,” my newfound example to unconditional love is the love God has for each and every human.
Devout or not, “The Light We Give” recognizes the oneness in every human. A simple thesis on paper, yet challenging to practice. As a Sikh American who ties a turban, Simran Jeet Singh shares countless examples of facing bigotry due to ignorance: at the airport, on the streets of NYC, in his classroom, on the soccer field as a young athlete in San Antonio, etc. These everyday interactions appear exhausting. Yet, Singh responds with humor, patience, and, above all, love. It’s admirable. It’s at times unbelievable. Yet, it’s clear this is who Singh is at his core. It begs the question: “well, how does he do it?”
His book is an invitation to transform how we define unconditional love. Where as unconditional love is the love God has for each and every human, it SHOULD also be the love we have for each other: strangers and friends alike.
It’s also an invitation to remember. For Sikh readers, important elements of our history are captured in Singh’s work. Whereas the Oak Creek massacre did not receive meaningful media attention in 2012, Singh brings the event to the forefront of his book, recalling the hate that predated and followed the mass shooting. After all, to love one unconditionally is to recognize all facets of them, including their history.
Devout or not, “The Light We Give” recognizes the oneness in every human. A simple thesis on paper, yet challenging to practice. As a Sikh American who ties a turban, Simran Jeet Singh shares countless examples of facing bigotry due to ignorance: at the airport, on the streets of NYC, in his classroom, on the soccer field as a young athlete in San Antonio, etc. These everyday interactions appear exhausting. Yet, Singh responds with humor, patience, and, above all, love. It’s admirable. It’s at times unbelievable. Yet, it’s clear this is who Singh is at his core. It begs the question: “well, how does he do it?”
His book is an invitation to transform how we define unconditional love. Where as unconditional love is the love God has for each and every human, it SHOULD also be the love we have for each other: strangers and friends alike.
It’s also an invitation to remember. For Sikh readers, important elements of our history are captured in Singh’s work. Whereas the Oak Creek massacre did not receive meaningful media attention in 2012, Singh brings the event to the forefront of his book, recalling the hate that predated and followed the mass shooting. After all, to love one unconditionally is to recognize all facets of them, including their history.
June 2, 2022
This was an incredibly inspiring read. I really loved the overall message of the practice of love and social justice. It was simultaneously convicting and comforting. The writing style is super easy to read, even if a little meandering at times. Definitely recommend!
December 13, 2022
Probably hovering a 5 star but I thought this was so thought provoking and just beautiful. I love the wisdom he shares and he does it with such grace and compassion for everyone, especially those who have deliberately tried to hurt him. This was kind of a self-help but where as most self help books are “I’ve got this all together”, he’s very much figuring this out for himself as well. Highly recommend.
March 6, 2024
As an Indian American and as someone who can fully relate to the author, I had a hard time getting myself to finish reading this book. It starts off very engaging and as other reviews have mentioned it starts to get repetitive. In fact, I constantly noticed the same sentences, repeating in the following pages where just one or two words were changed. The theme of the book and the message the author is conveying was impactful, but it didn’t have to stretch in 300 pages. This easily could’ve been a well written 100 page book but around page 100 was when I began getting bored because of how repetitive it began to get.
February 4, 2023
An interesting introduction into Sikh thought. For that insight it is a book well worth reading especially if you, like me, had no prior knowledge. I found it far too redundant and the more I read the less engaged I felt. It’s not that I disagreed with Dr. Singh. On most points I did not. His personal history was enlightening. Having a first person look at racism from a victim’s perspective is a valuable experience. Being introduced to the core concepts of the Sikh tradition also very valuable. Examples of how he applies the teachings in his life interesting and often inspiring. But I felt I was being pressured to agree and convert to his way of thinking as much as being introduced to Sikh wisdom. I doubt this was his intention, but I found myself looking for a polite way to disengage from what felt like a too high pressured sales pitch which was uncomfortable. I did in fact begin skimming and skipping chapters toward the end.
Read
August 11, 2023This is 90%+ biography and maybe 10% peppered Sikh principles. I would have secondarily titled this book “How Sikh wisdom transformed MY life” because it is not really instructional as how to practically apply Sikh wisdom to any one reader’s life. More, here’s what happened to me and mayyyybe you can figure out how this principle would apply to you. The biographical examples and historical references are very specific to the experience of the author.
May 30, 2022
I loved this life perspective on religion, racism, and caring within families. I believe I learned a
lot about Sikh and those who practice. This is a welcome addition to any library and an enjoyable read.
lot about Sikh and those who practice. This is a welcome addition to any library and an enjoyable read.
May 29, 2022
An interesting memoir, weaving key elements of his faith along the way. Worth the read for anyone interested in modern views of religion.
Read
December 30, 2022The Light We Give (2022) lights a defiant flame of hope for troubled times. Drawing on a lifetime of navigating racism growing up as a Sikh in Texas, it offers simple, guiding principles and daily practices that can help anyone live a more fulfilling, joyful life – regardless of their circumstances.
Simran Jeet Singh, Ph.D is Executive Director for the Religion & Society Program at the Aspen Institute and a visiting professor of history and religion at Union Theological Seminary. He is a Soros Equality Fellow with the Open Society Foundations, and in 2020 TIME magazine recognized him among sixteen people fighting for a more equal America. He is a columnist for the Religion News Service, and his work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and on CNN. Singh is the author of the award-winning children’s book Fauja Singh Keeps Going. He lives in New York City with his family.
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Find authentic happiness, even in turbulent times.
There are lots of reasons to feel anxious and stressed these days, from a lingering global pandemic to climate change, war, terrorism, and widespread inequality. It’s all too easy to feel isolated and powerless, stuck in a cycle of fear and frustration that refreshes right along with your news feed.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
In this book, we’ll walk you through some time-tested Sikh wisdom that can transform your life – not in spite of life’s turmoil and tragedies, but actually through them. Along the way, we’ll discover how honoring humanity in others can bring peace, why seeing hope in dark times can bring happiness, and how sharing with others brings abundance.
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You can’t change what happens, but you can change how you see it.
September 11, 2001 was the first time Simran Jeet Singh had ever seen his mother lock the front door.
Growing up as a native Texan in a Sikh family, Simran was used to two things by his senior year in high school. One, that his long hair and turban, dark skin and beard caused a lot of racist reactions. He most often deflected these with quick thinking and humor – sometimes even using them as a chance to educate people about Sikh culture. But growing up Sikh also meant that his family was committed to generosity and community. Their door had remained open his entire life, ready to welcome anyone in need at any hour of the day or night.
Earlier that day, they’d watched the news in horror – both as the twin towers fell and when the image of a bearded, brown-skinned, and turban-wearing Osama bin Laden was broadcast as the mastermind of the terrorist attacks. In one fateful moment, the image of a turbaned terrorist was cemented in hearts and minds around the globe. The outpouring of hatred and violence was almost immediate.
After a lifetime of navigating racism and ignorance in his hometown, the stakes were forever raised in that moment. For the first time, his family was receiving death threats. In the aftermath, a turbaned Sikh in Arizona was murdered in his workplace. Others were beaten and harassed, despite having absolutely nothing to do with the terrorist attacks or those who perpetrated them.
But something else was happening, too. Friends and neighbors were checking in on Simran’s family. They offered meals, comfort, and moral support. Communities around the country were connecting and sharing information, too – supporting each other as they found ways to respond to the violence.
His family found immediate cause for hope in this outpouring of love and support, and life slowly assumed a new normal. But for Simran, it was just the beginning of a longer journey toward wisdom.
He realized that despite dealing with racism every day of his life in Texas, it wasn’t enough to keep his loved ones safe. His reality was challenging, for sure. There were many times he struggled with anger over the injustice of it all. But embracing this reality fully meant diving deep into his core principles, facing his biases, and practicing a new way to be in the world.
Transforming his life through a few simple principles wasn’t easy, but the reward has meant living with joy and fulfillment – no matter what the circumstances are. In the next section, we’ll start to discover how you can do this, too.
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Confront your bias to truly connect.
In the days following 9/11, it was clear that many people saw anyone wearing a turban as a threat. For Simran, this led to the inevitable feeling that he had been attacked twice: once as an American in the terrorist attack itself, and then again as a Sikh, whose peaceful religious principles of inclusivity, charity, and interdependence didn’t matter in the face of their turban-wearing tradition. Surely, he could just cut his hair, ditch the turban, do what he could to fit in?
As he went on to college and graduate school, this idea certainly tempted him often. Not a terribly spiritual person, his connection to these traditions was largely through family, shared history, and tradition. Instead, he took these thoughts as an opportunity to start reflecting on why this was such a tempting idea. And what he discovered quickly started to change his mind.
Up to now, his strategy in facing racism in south Texas was to ignore it whenever possible – and react with humor when he couldn’t. Becoming quick-witted and gracious had helped in the short term, but as he’d seen all too well after 9/11, this wasn’t enough. So instead of reacting outwardly with anger, he decided to look within.
He realized that when people had seen him as an outsider in south Texas and told him to “go back to where he came from,” they’d assumed there was another place in the world where he truly belonged. But as a Sikh, his ancestors had left India after centuries of persecution, pogroms, and public executions. They fled to America with the promise of belonging.
Pondering this, he started to think about how his own unconscious biases had been formed. Sure, he’d experienced other people’s unconscious biases all his life, but what about his? He began to wonder if other people’s beliefs and ways of thinking had been passed down, too. This made him curious about them instead of overwhelmingly angry. Wondering why someone would think a certain way – what experiences they might have had in life that confirmed this way of thinking – led him to a new openness in the face of even the most angry confrontation.
Over time, he came to see that this process opened him up to the world and helped him stop judging it himself. Asking why people thought the way they did, with openness and curiosity, led to many deep conversations and connections. Approaching their self-reflection with equal amounts of radical honesty, he found himself cherishing people not in spite of their differences, but because of them.
Having compassion for others led him to have more compassion for himself. Patience with his own process helped him have patience for others, too. If hate is a vicious cycle, love and acceptance can be a positive cycle. The more you practice confronting your internal judgments, the more you can suspend your judgments of those around you – and connect more deeply in the process.
And connection, as we’ll see in the next section, can make all the difference.
---
Finding the light in others brightens your world.
On the morning of August 5, 2012, members of a gurdwara, or Sikh temple, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, were gathering to prepare a communal meal for later in the day. Shortly after 10:00 a.m., with the building full of mostly women and children, an armed gunman entered the temple and began shooting. By the time it was over, five members of the community were dead – including the founder of the gurdwara – and several more were seriously wounded. A police officer had been shot more than 15 times, and the gunman, an avowed white supremacist, was also dead from a self-inflicted gunshot. One shooting victim was left paralyzed and passed away from complications in 2020.
While Simran had long become accustomed to encountering hate as a daily part of his life, he had never before witnessed violence against his community play out so openly across the news. Knowing the gunman targeted this community because they wore traditional beards and turbans was surreal . . . and completely expected. As anyone who has faced systemic injustice will likely understand, even the most shocking events can become routine for some.
In the aftermath of this violence toward his community, Simran began to unravel another piece of inherited wisdom – and found it radically transformed everything.
First, he realized that his urge to call the gunman evil was strong. They were an avowed white supremacist, after all, and this release for Simran’s rage would feel good in the moment. But in the long term, this way of thinking wouldn’t change anything.
Instead, he rode the roller coaster of emotions until he found himself wanting to channel it in a more positive direction. He found comfort in the stories of the survivors, who dealt with the reality of the situation and found reasons for hope. He saw their capacity to see the good in others as they responded with resilience and optimism. He watched them embrace the richness of life around them while feeling their grief. When he felt strengthened by their example, he realized his next step was clear: he had to challenge himself to somehow see the humanity in the gunman – in spite of all that he had done.
Strengthened by this revelation, Singh committed himself to seeing the best in others – and to practice this in every difficult or confronting situation. He quickly saw that his old reactions led to anger and pessimism. Challenging himself to see the best in others changed how he saw things, making it easier to respond in the moment with compassion and hope.
This little change in attitude created big transformations, too, as we��ll see in the next section.
---
Sharing the light brightens the whole world.
In times of collective tragedy, finding comfort in the experience of helpers and survivors can inspire us to carry on. Doing the hard work of finding the humanity in those who have wronged us has the power to transform the meaning of the tragedy itself. It can serve as a humble reminder of our own humanity. Over time, finding the good in others changes how we see the world – with signs of hope popping up everywhere we look.
For Simran, this transformation was never more present, or challenging, than during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Living with his wife and daughters in New York City meant being at the epicenter of the outbreak early on. Days were full of uncertainty, with no vaccines or testing to combat the spread. This time, it was his doctor wife who was on the front lines of the struggle, bringing her stories home after long days working in the hospital.
All of Simran’s previous experiences had led him to a place where he knew that seeing the good around him, and finding comfort in the struggle of helpers like his wife, could sustain him in the short term. But he found some unexpected struggles along the way that revealed even more transformative wisdom from the Sikh traditions he had embraced.
First, he knew that sharing with others, especially before partaking oneself, is an important way to show love. Looking for the good in others led him to countless stories of selfless New Yorkers who shared food, resources, and comfort with one another. Instead of depleting them, those who shared with others felt more joy and hope, even in the long days of lockdown. In looking for ways to share with others, they saw the abundance of their own lives with fresh eyes.
As time passed, though, knowing he couldn’t help out directly led to some uncomfortable feelings. Sitting with these, Simran realized that his activism had always centered around what he could do for others – in other words, on his actions. Owning up to the self-centeredness of his ideas about activism transformed his lockdown isolation into a wholehearted act of service. In a world that valued the ends over the means in activism, he was confronted by yet another way to think.
In taking into account his intention, his internal attitude about the lockdown transformed his seeming inaction to something else entirely. It was suddenly an opportunity to practice truly selfless service, to do what was best for his community and not himself. He began to see that other aspects of his “selfless” activism hadn’t been so selfless, which opened up yet more ways to be of service.
Instead of depleting him, each act of service as a supportive father, partner, and citizen increased his happiness and joy. With daily practice, all the circumstances of his life, viewed from this fresh angle, became rewarding and fulfilling opportunities to serve. He had more energy to support his wife, who had more energy for her work in saving lives. These ripples of service expanded outward, creating positive changes far beyond his own efforts.
---
Be an outsider to self-heal.
If the journey thus far has been shaped by extreme circumstances – terrorist attacks and a global pandemic – the transformative insights are extremely simple. Choosing optimism and looking for hope helps sustain us. Confronting our bias and seeing the humanity in others can connect us. Serving others shows love, and showing love brings fulfillment.
To put these simple kernels of wisdom into daily practice, it can help to imagine observing yourself like an outsider might. As Simran himself experienced, growing up as an outsider forces you to examine yourself and your life from another’s perspective. This, in and of itself, can bring insight.
So begin by imagining yourself as a true outsider: an alien from some far away planet. Observe and interpret your behavior like an alien scientist might. What would they see as you go about your everyday life?
When asked, you might say your family and friends were the most important things to you. But watching your day play out, the aliens may get a different impression. Sure, you spent an hour in the morning getting everyone ready and chatting over breakfast – but you likely spent the next eight hours with work colleagues and your computer. Maybe there was another hour commuting, catching up on messages or the news. And then you spent another hour preparing for the next workday, and so on.
Even if you spend a few hours with family or friends, your statement about your priorities may ring hollow to our alien observer. They might think your priority is clearly work – and over a course of the typical week, their impression would be confirmed more days than not.
When seen this way, there might be a big difference between the way your life feels on the inside and how it looks on the outside. Recognizing this contradiction is the first step toward reconciling it. It might be painful at first, but even just sitting with the discomfort can be healing.
That’s because you know yourself from the inside, and you understand that your efforts to prioritize often fall victim to circumstance. Instead of feeling embarrassed or ashamed of this, use it as an opportunity to have compassion for yourself. This kind of compassion is self-healing, because it relieves you of the burden of frustration and shame while honoring your own humanity.
To be human is often to fail, to fall short, or otherwise disappoint. To see this clearly is to find humility, which helps grow empathy for those who struggle. Humility also gives us the courage to keep trying – and to find hope and patience in our own struggles as well as others’.
Having the discipline to keep viewing yourself, your community, and your surroundings this way has the power to transform the world as you experience it. It helps you find light everywhere you look, even in the darkest times, and brings fulfillment to every step of the journey.
---
While you can’t change what happens to you or the circumstances of your life, you can choose how you experience them. Acknowledging internal judgments and biases will allow you to connect more deeply with others, changing how you think about the world and even what you see in it. Honoring the humanity in yourself and others can help you have patience, and relieve you from the burdens of anger and shame. Seeing everyone, and everything, as an interconnected whole takes daily practice and self-reflection – but the results are a life full of meaning, love, and joy . . . no matter what comes your way.
Simran Jeet Singh, Ph.D is Executive Director for the Religion & Society Program at the Aspen Institute and a visiting professor of history and religion at Union Theological Seminary. He is a Soros Equality Fellow with the Open Society Foundations, and in 2020 TIME magazine recognized him among sixteen people fighting for a more equal America. He is a columnist for the Religion News Service, and his work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and on CNN. Singh is the author of the award-winning children’s book Fauja Singh Keeps Going. He lives in New York City with his family.
---
Find authentic happiness, even in turbulent times.
There are lots of reasons to feel anxious and stressed these days, from a lingering global pandemic to climate change, war, terrorism, and widespread inequality. It’s all too easy to feel isolated and powerless, stuck in a cycle of fear and frustration that refreshes right along with your news feed.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
In this book, we’ll walk you through some time-tested Sikh wisdom that can transform your life – not in spite of life’s turmoil and tragedies, but actually through them. Along the way, we’ll discover how honoring humanity in others can bring peace, why seeing hope in dark times can bring happiness, and how sharing with others brings abundance.
---
You can’t change what happens, but you can change how you see it.
September 11, 2001 was the first time Simran Jeet Singh had ever seen his mother lock the front door.
Growing up as a native Texan in a Sikh family, Simran was used to two things by his senior year in high school. One, that his long hair and turban, dark skin and beard caused a lot of racist reactions. He most often deflected these with quick thinking and humor – sometimes even using them as a chance to educate people about Sikh culture. But growing up Sikh also meant that his family was committed to generosity and community. Their door had remained open his entire life, ready to welcome anyone in need at any hour of the day or night.
Earlier that day, they’d watched the news in horror – both as the twin towers fell and when the image of a bearded, brown-skinned, and turban-wearing Osama bin Laden was broadcast as the mastermind of the terrorist attacks. In one fateful moment, the image of a turbaned terrorist was cemented in hearts and minds around the globe. The outpouring of hatred and violence was almost immediate.
After a lifetime of navigating racism and ignorance in his hometown, the stakes were forever raised in that moment. For the first time, his family was receiving death threats. In the aftermath, a turbaned Sikh in Arizona was murdered in his workplace. Others were beaten and harassed, despite having absolutely nothing to do with the terrorist attacks or those who perpetrated them.
But something else was happening, too. Friends and neighbors were checking in on Simran’s family. They offered meals, comfort, and moral support. Communities around the country were connecting and sharing information, too – supporting each other as they found ways to respond to the violence.
His family found immediate cause for hope in this outpouring of love and support, and life slowly assumed a new normal. But for Simran, it was just the beginning of a longer journey toward wisdom.
He realized that despite dealing with racism every day of his life in Texas, it wasn’t enough to keep his loved ones safe. His reality was challenging, for sure. There were many times he struggled with anger over the injustice of it all. But embracing this reality fully meant diving deep into his core principles, facing his biases, and practicing a new way to be in the world.
Transforming his life through a few simple principles wasn’t easy, but the reward has meant living with joy and fulfillment – no matter what the circumstances are. In the next section, we’ll start to discover how you can do this, too.
---
Confront your bias to truly connect.
In the days following 9/11, it was clear that many people saw anyone wearing a turban as a threat. For Simran, this led to the inevitable feeling that he had been attacked twice: once as an American in the terrorist attack itself, and then again as a Sikh, whose peaceful religious principles of inclusivity, charity, and interdependence didn’t matter in the face of their turban-wearing tradition. Surely, he could just cut his hair, ditch the turban, do what he could to fit in?
As he went on to college and graduate school, this idea certainly tempted him often. Not a terribly spiritual person, his connection to these traditions was largely through family, shared history, and tradition. Instead, he took these thoughts as an opportunity to start reflecting on why this was such a tempting idea. And what he discovered quickly started to change his mind.
Up to now, his strategy in facing racism in south Texas was to ignore it whenever possible – and react with humor when he couldn’t. Becoming quick-witted and gracious had helped in the short term, but as he’d seen all too well after 9/11, this wasn’t enough. So instead of reacting outwardly with anger, he decided to look within.
He realized that when people had seen him as an outsider in south Texas and told him to “go back to where he came from,” they’d assumed there was another place in the world where he truly belonged. But as a Sikh, his ancestors had left India after centuries of persecution, pogroms, and public executions. They fled to America with the promise of belonging.
Pondering this, he started to think about how his own unconscious biases had been formed. Sure, he’d experienced other people’s unconscious biases all his life, but what about his? He began to wonder if other people’s beliefs and ways of thinking had been passed down, too. This made him curious about them instead of overwhelmingly angry. Wondering why someone would think a certain way – what experiences they might have had in life that confirmed this way of thinking – led him to a new openness in the face of even the most angry confrontation.
Over time, he came to see that this process opened him up to the world and helped him stop judging it himself. Asking why people thought the way they did, with openness and curiosity, led to many deep conversations and connections. Approaching their self-reflection with equal amounts of radical honesty, he found himself cherishing people not in spite of their differences, but because of them.
Having compassion for others led him to have more compassion for himself. Patience with his own process helped him have patience for others, too. If hate is a vicious cycle, love and acceptance can be a positive cycle. The more you practice confronting your internal judgments, the more you can suspend your judgments of those around you – and connect more deeply in the process.
And connection, as we’ll see in the next section, can make all the difference.
---
Finding the light in others brightens your world.
On the morning of August 5, 2012, members of a gurdwara, or Sikh temple, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, were gathering to prepare a communal meal for later in the day. Shortly after 10:00 a.m., with the building full of mostly women and children, an armed gunman entered the temple and began shooting. By the time it was over, five members of the community were dead – including the founder of the gurdwara – and several more were seriously wounded. A police officer had been shot more than 15 times, and the gunman, an avowed white supremacist, was also dead from a self-inflicted gunshot. One shooting victim was left paralyzed and passed away from complications in 2020.
While Simran had long become accustomed to encountering hate as a daily part of his life, he had never before witnessed violence against his community play out so openly across the news. Knowing the gunman targeted this community because they wore traditional beards and turbans was surreal . . . and completely expected. As anyone who has faced systemic injustice will likely understand, even the most shocking events can become routine for some.
In the aftermath of this violence toward his community, Simran began to unravel another piece of inherited wisdom – and found it radically transformed everything.
First, he realized that his urge to call the gunman evil was strong. They were an avowed white supremacist, after all, and this release for Simran’s rage would feel good in the moment. But in the long term, this way of thinking wouldn’t change anything.
Instead, he rode the roller coaster of emotions until he found himself wanting to channel it in a more positive direction. He found comfort in the stories of the survivors, who dealt with the reality of the situation and found reasons for hope. He saw their capacity to see the good in others as they responded with resilience and optimism. He watched them embrace the richness of life around them while feeling their grief. When he felt strengthened by their example, he realized his next step was clear: he had to challenge himself to somehow see the humanity in the gunman – in spite of all that he had done.
Strengthened by this revelation, Singh committed himself to seeing the best in others – and to practice this in every difficult or confronting situation. He quickly saw that his old reactions led to anger and pessimism. Challenging himself to see the best in others changed how he saw things, making it easier to respond in the moment with compassion and hope.
This little change in attitude created big transformations, too, as we��ll see in the next section.
---
Sharing the light brightens the whole world.
In times of collective tragedy, finding comfort in the experience of helpers and survivors can inspire us to carry on. Doing the hard work of finding the humanity in those who have wronged us has the power to transform the meaning of the tragedy itself. It can serve as a humble reminder of our own humanity. Over time, finding the good in others changes how we see the world – with signs of hope popping up everywhere we look.
For Simran, this transformation was never more present, or challenging, than during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Living with his wife and daughters in New York City meant being at the epicenter of the outbreak early on. Days were full of uncertainty, with no vaccines or testing to combat the spread. This time, it was his doctor wife who was on the front lines of the struggle, bringing her stories home after long days working in the hospital.
All of Simran’s previous experiences had led him to a place where he knew that seeing the good around him, and finding comfort in the struggle of helpers like his wife, could sustain him in the short term. But he found some unexpected struggles along the way that revealed even more transformative wisdom from the Sikh traditions he had embraced.
First, he knew that sharing with others, especially before partaking oneself, is an important way to show love. Looking for the good in others led him to countless stories of selfless New Yorkers who shared food, resources, and comfort with one another. Instead of depleting them, those who shared with others felt more joy and hope, even in the long days of lockdown. In looking for ways to share with others, they saw the abundance of their own lives with fresh eyes.
As time passed, though, knowing he couldn’t help out directly led to some uncomfortable feelings. Sitting with these, Simran realized that his activism had always centered around what he could do for others – in other words, on his actions. Owning up to the self-centeredness of his ideas about activism transformed his lockdown isolation into a wholehearted act of service. In a world that valued the ends over the means in activism, he was confronted by yet another way to think.
In taking into account his intention, his internal attitude about the lockdown transformed his seeming inaction to something else entirely. It was suddenly an opportunity to practice truly selfless service, to do what was best for his community and not himself. He began to see that other aspects of his “selfless” activism hadn’t been so selfless, which opened up yet more ways to be of service.
Instead of depleting him, each act of service as a supportive father, partner, and citizen increased his happiness and joy. With daily practice, all the circumstances of his life, viewed from this fresh angle, became rewarding and fulfilling opportunities to serve. He had more energy to support his wife, who had more energy for her work in saving lives. These ripples of service expanded outward, creating positive changes far beyond his own efforts.
---
Be an outsider to self-heal.
If the journey thus far has been shaped by extreme circumstances – terrorist attacks and a global pandemic – the transformative insights are extremely simple. Choosing optimism and looking for hope helps sustain us. Confronting our bias and seeing the humanity in others can connect us. Serving others shows love, and showing love brings fulfillment.
To put these simple kernels of wisdom into daily practice, it can help to imagine observing yourself like an outsider might. As Simran himself experienced, growing up as an outsider forces you to examine yourself and your life from another’s perspective. This, in and of itself, can bring insight.
So begin by imagining yourself as a true outsider: an alien from some far away planet. Observe and interpret your behavior like an alien scientist might. What would they see as you go about your everyday life?
When asked, you might say your family and friends were the most important things to you. But watching your day play out, the aliens may get a different impression. Sure, you spent an hour in the morning getting everyone ready and chatting over breakfast – but you likely spent the next eight hours with work colleagues and your computer. Maybe there was another hour commuting, catching up on messages or the news. And then you spent another hour preparing for the next workday, and so on.
Even if you spend a few hours with family or friends, your statement about your priorities may ring hollow to our alien observer. They might think your priority is clearly work – and over a course of the typical week, their impression would be confirmed more days than not.
When seen this way, there might be a big difference between the way your life feels on the inside and how it looks on the outside. Recognizing this contradiction is the first step toward reconciling it. It might be painful at first, but even just sitting with the discomfort can be healing.
That’s because you know yourself from the inside, and you understand that your efforts to prioritize often fall victim to circumstance. Instead of feeling embarrassed or ashamed of this, use it as an opportunity to have compassion for yourself. This kind of compassion is self-healing, because it relieves you of the burden of frustration and shame while honoring your own humanity.
To be human is often to fail, to fall short, or otherwise disappoint. To see this clearly is to find humility, which helps grow empathy for those who struggle. Humility also gives us the courage to keep trying – and to find hope and patience in our own struggles as well as others’.
Having the discipline to keep viewing yourself, your community, and your surroundings this way has the power to transform the world as you experience it. It helps you find light everywhere you look, even in the darkest times, and brings fulfillment to every step of the journey.
---
While you can’t change what happens to you or the circumstances of your life, you can choose how you experience them. Acknowledging internal judgments and biases will allow you to connect more deeply with others, changing how you think about the world and even what you see in it. Honoring the humanity in yourself and others can help you have patience, and relieve you from the burdens of anger and shame. Seeing everyone, and everything, as an interconnected whole takes daily practice and self-reflection – but the results are a life full of meaning, love, and joy . . . no matter what comes your way.
September 22, 2022
The Light We Give was an incredibly uplifting and transformative book. Singh challenges you to look at things from a different perspective than you normally might in an effort to enact positive change in the world. After reading his book, I feel more open-minded and willing to do things differently in my life, to actually put into action (and not just think about doing), the things I want to accomplish or achieve with my time on this earth.
Sikh wisdom is the focal point of the book and Singh does a great job of detailing the ways of life and general ideas that Sikh individuals live by of a religion that is relatively unfamiliar to most people. I won’t lie, I did not know much about Sikhism before reading this book but after reading it I can safely say I gained a lot of knowledge about Sikhism and the benefits it can bestow on all of us whether we practice the religion or not. The lessons Singh discusses which draw off of Sikh wisdom are invaluable and show us how essential living with humility and selflessness is in today’s world while also putting an emphasis on “oneness” and how every human being is interconnected no matter their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc…
The Light We Give is truly an inspiring and powerful book. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to live happier, healthier, and to anyone who wants to make a meaningful difference in the world no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.
Probably the best book I’ve read all year!
5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sikh wisdom is the focal point of the book and Singh does a great job of detailing the ways of life and general ideas that Sikh individuals live by of a religion that is relatively unfamiliar to most people. I won’t lie, I did not know much about Sikhism before reading this book but after reading it I can safely say I gained a lot of knowledge about Sikhism and the benefits it can bestow on all of us whether we practice the religion or not. The lessons Singh discusses which draw off of Sikh wisdom are invaluable and show us how essential living with humility and selflessness is in today’s world while also putting an emphasis on “oneness” and how every human being is interconnected no matter their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc…
The Light We Give is truly an inspiring and powerful book. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to live happier, healthier, and to anyone who wants to make a meaningful difference in the world no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.
Probably the best book I’ve read all year!
5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 22, 2023
How can we confront hate with love and compassion? How can we be activists without becoming consumed with rage and anger? And how can we transform our lives to incorporate those things? Simran Jeet Singh works to answer those questions in his compelling book, “The Light We Give.” As someone who has been confronted with racism, he is able to tell his story and teach his readers how we can be more compassionate and how we can kill with kindness. Singh is an intelligent author who is currently an executive director for the Aspen Institute’s Religion & Society Program. My main takeaway from this book is to keep an open mind because you never know what someone else is going through. Singh’s memoir is riddled with clever humor as well, which I found fun. However, I felt that some concepts and some parts were slightly repetitive. I would highly recommend this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 2, 2023
This book has transformed my perspective on life at a period of life where I was spiritually hungry. I have been reminded of my humanity, and my sense of self that desires deeper connection and inner peace while reading this book and I received nuggets of wisdom that I will carry a lot more in life. This is a book I believe everyone should read since there is a piece of wisdom that will be relevant to you within this text.
February 12, 2023
Singh has some truly great parts in this book, but its short chapters are choppy, and many parts feel dumbed down or overly simplified. Given how great the good parts are, I think the problems with this book stem from poor editing not poor writing. Either way, parts feel clunky. Finishing it was a bit of a slog. With that said, I learned a lot about the Sikh faith and I'm very glad I did.
March 28, 2023
I really want to be Singh’s friend! This man seems to have his crap together, and calls himself out when he doesn’t. There are so many overlapping beliefs in Sikhi and Christianity, so I wholeheartedly believe in these teachings. I only knocked it down a star because it took so long to finish.
January 16, 2023
Interesting to learn about Sikh teachings and so important to understand discrimination from those who experience it.
July 6, 2022
The Light We Give is an inspiring gift -- exactly the book I needed to read! I highly recommend it.
September 27, 2023
Impactful reading to broaden your worldview
March 24, 2024
Amazing teachings, well told
This book is inspiring in so many ways.
Feeling unsure of yourself? Experiencing any hardship in life? Feeling unconnected? Stuck in life?
This book shares spiritual and philosophical wisdom in a very accessible and human way.
This book is inspiring in so many ways.
Feeling unsure of yourself? Experiencing any hardship in life? Feeling unconnected? Stuck in life?
This book shares spiritual and philosophical wisdom in a very accessible and human way.
August 13, 2022
“I love you because we are each other.” I enjoyed this book so much. The concepts of connection and our dependence on/connection to each other, endless capacity for more love, and practicing service, connection, and remembering all resonated with me. I certainly ascribe to the belief that activism, spiritual practice, and internal work are and should be connected, and it was great to hear about this from the perspective of the Sikh faith. I loved how the author approached this by teaching us principles of Sikhi by way of his own experiences and life story. I appreciated the practical pieces too and plan use some of these ideas for journaling prompts. If you loved The Lightmaker’s Manifesto, this would be a great follow-up read.
October 3, 2022
This to me, was more about how one Sikh used his religious knowledge to deal with discrimination, than it was about general Sikh wisdom.
August 11, 2022
The Light We Give is an insight into Sikhi, as well as a memoir that shares Simran Jeet’s experience growing up as a brown skin turban wearing Sikh in the United States. The concepts of Sikhi are woven beautifully throughout, making this a must read for those looking to become a better version of themselves. Thank you Simran Jeet, for writing and sharing your book with all of us.
August 8, 2022
Simran wonderfully meshed Sikh wisdom with anecdotes from his own life, while also providing insight into shared Sikh American experiences. I highly recommend it.
July 28, 2022
There is much wisdom in this book - learning about the racism faced by Sikh individuals, the caring and service, and the ways of seeing the good in others intertwined with stories about the authors experience growing up and later becoming a parent in the USA.
There are many helpful insights about goal planning, values, kindness and connection embedded in this book which share a perspective of servant leadership.
There are many helpful insights about goal planning, values, kindness and connection embedded in this book which share a perspective of servant leadership.
July 25, 2022
A wonderful, inspiring, but ultimately practical guide to applying the principles of Sikhism (or "Sikhi") to your life.
Singh masterfully weaves his experience growing up as an 'orthodox' Sikh with the various teachings of Sikhi that can be utilized to improve your own life.
This is nothing more than that. It is not a call to join Sikhism. It is not a pity party.
What it is, however, is a beautiful rendition of how one can improve his/her own life using some fairly simple methods and techniques.
I love this read and highly recommend it to any and all. 10/10.
Singh masterfully weaves his experience growing up as an 'orthodox' Sikh with the various teachings of Sikhi that can be utilized to improve your own life.
This is nothing more than that. It is not a call to join Sikhism. It is not a pity party.
What it is, however, is a beautiful rendition of how one can improve his/her own life using some fairly simple methods and techniques.
I love this read and highly recommend it to any and all. 10/10.
July 28, 2022
Thank you Simran Jeet Singh for writing and narrating this book.
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