WSN regular contributor Bhupinder Singh interviewed young Sikh author Simran Jeet Singh for the World Sikh News, whose latest book “The Light We Give” is making waves and it is the first for a young Sikh author to have mainstream publishers. Simran Jeet Singh’s children’s book “Fauja Singh Keeps Running” in 2020 also had a wide audience. Enjoy!

Congratulations on opening the doors for upcoming Sikh writers. Your new book “The Light We Give: The Power of Sikh Wisdom to Transform Your Life: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life” has been well received just like your book on Fauja Singh. Give us an update.

Simran Jeet Singh: Thank you for your kind words. It really means a lot coming from someone who was one of my Gurmat teachers, whilst growing up in Texas. The response to the books has been incredibly positive and I feel so grateful. Both books were published by Penguin Random House -the world’s largest publisher. Thousands of copies have been distributed around the globe. I am elated that the book is being read and enjoyed by people of all backgrounds, from people who know and love Sikhi to people who have never heard of it before.

Bhupinder Singh: The events of the 9/11 bombing of the World Trade Center, followed by the 2012 shooting by a white Supremacist into the Sikh place of worship in Wisconsin, USA spurred you to take to the pen and engage in social activism. Can you share your feelings?

Simran Jeet Singh: There were very few Sikhs where I grew up, and most Americans had no idea who we were or what we were about. For the most part, this was fine. The ignorance led to moments of racism and difficulty, but for the most part, we were able to manage. As I grew into my own maturity, I began to see how ignorance could have violent consequences for our community and others. I saw firsthand how hatred could ruin the lives of innocent people. It was this experience that helped me see that education was a vehicle for love and justice and this put me on the path of writing.

Bhupinder Singh: This was a very bold decision, as you did not have path blazers to follow. So, you had to create your own path, knock at the doors of media moguls and create openings for sharing that perspective. Tell us about the hurdles.

Simran Jeet Singh: It’s true that not many people in our community had walked this precise path before. But it’s also true that so many people before me helped carve the way for me – my parents, grandparents, and so many people in our community who took risks to ensure that we had the opportunity to live freely. I don’t take any of that lightly, and I feel so grateful that we get to live a life of Seva -selfless service in a variety of fields.

That said, there were and continue to be many obstacles to bringing these messages forward, many of which have to do with people’s ignorance, biases, and false assumptions. Many people told me that no publisher would be interested in a book about Sikhi, and many said Americans wouldn’t find Sikh characters relatable. The best advice I received was to continue holding confidence in our stories and our humanity and to not let people’s assumptions get in the way of my own commitment.

What I’ve learned from Sikh philosophy is that we find true compassion by starting from a place of oneness, seeing our interconnections with the people around us, and seeing their inner light.

Bhupinder Singh: You said, ignorance is a factor, tell us how cultural ignorance fuels hatred and how active engagement can change the perception and help combat it.

Simran Jeet Singh: In our world today, we’ve become so good at closing ourselves off from one another. We don’t listen to people we don’t like, and we don’t even learn about people who seem different from us. We see them, judge them, and then move on with our lives. The problem is that each time we do this, it makes it more and more difficult to see another individual’s humanity.

What I’ve learned from Sikh philosophy is that we find true compassion by starting from a place of oneness, seeing our interconnections with the people around us, and seeing their inner light. This is what the Gurus did as they met people of all backgrounds and of all traditions. They listened to them and spoke their language. They treated them all with the dignity and respect they deserved. This is what we can be doing too, and doing so would change the way we see ourselves and others.

Bhupinder Singh: From your writings and other social engagements, what have you learned that can inspire others to blaze their own trails?

Simran Jeet Singh: I think the greatest lesson I’ve learned is the importance of authenticity. Writing and advocating from a place of conviction is the most powerful way to share. It’s what enables a clear voice and allows for personal integrity. This has been a very important lesson for me.

Bhupinder Singh: Based on your own experience as a child growing up in San Antonio and now raising your own children, what is your advice for youngsters?

One lesson that feels valuable to me is one that I draw from Sikh teachings. You can do anything in life, and you can go anywhere. So long as you ground your work in seva, you will find happiness and contentment. Don’t focus only on yourself. Connect with people around you and focus on how you can help them, too. Finding a balance between these two is tricky, but it helps to create a good and purposeful life.

Simran Jeet Singh: One lesson that feels valuable to me is one that I draw from Sikh teachings. You can do anything in life, and you can go anywhere. So long as you ground your work in seva, you will find happiness and contentment. Don’t focus only on yourself. Connect with people around you and focus on how you can help them, too. Finding a balance between these two is tricky, but it helps to create a good and purposeful life.

Bhupinder Singh: Based on my children’s experience of being bullied, I can imagine that you and your brothers also had to undergo that experience. Can you share some details and how was it handled?

Simran Jeet Singh: We had some instances of bullying here and there, but I wouldn’t say it was a daily experience. For the most part, our lives were fairly comfortable. When it did happen, I felt fortunate to have brothers who understood what it was like and who would support me through it. I also felt lucky to have friends who cared and stood up for us, too. Having a community around us reminded us that we weren’t alone and that there are so many good people out there who care.

Bhupinder Singh: Well said. What will be your advice to parents of Sikh kids who experience some serious bullying?

Simran Jeet Singh: As a parent of young children, there’s nothing I care about more than their safety and happiness. Knowing that bullying could cause mental anguish worries me, and I think a lot about how to prepare them for those moments. My wife and I have been working hard to instill in them a lesson that we take from Sikh values –Don’t worry so much about how people perceive you, or even if everyone likes you –As long as you see your own inherent divinity and the divinity in everyone else, then no one can take that away from you.

To combat bullying, my wife and I have been working hard to instill in them a lesson that we take from Sikh values –Don’t worry so much about how people perceive you, or even if everyone likes you –As long as you see your own inherent divinity and the divinity in everyone else, then no one can take that away from you.

Bhupinder Singh: How can parents motivate their children to inculcate a love of Sikhi?

Simran Jeet Singh: Part of what my parents did to help me see the value of Sikhi is to help us understand how it applies to our everyday lives. Religion can often feel so theoretical, and history can feel so far in the past. Taking an approach that helps connect the messages of Sikhi to create more happiness in our daily lives is what helped me learn to appreciate Sikhi.

Bhupinder Singh: I know that your Tayaji, was an avid reader and a book lover. Did it have any influence on you or stimulate you to become a book reader and writer?

Simran Jeet Singh: Yes, my Tayaji, Pritam uncle, loved books, and he shared that love with us. Pritam uncle lived with us for years when we were growing up. He helped create a small library of Sikh books in our home, and he also sat with us every evening to discuss and learn everything, from Sikh history to learning how to read Gurmukhi.

Bhupinder Singh: It is my observation that generally Sikhs are not book readers. How this habit and mindset can be changed?

Simran Jeet Singh: It always surprises me that our community does not read more. We have such a rich tradition of writing and literature. Perhaps one way for us to reawaken this within ourselves is to remember that we are meant to be students and learners and that books are often the best vehicles.

What is your message for WSN readers? Enjoy life! Have fun! Keep reading!

Bhupinder Singh: What next?
Simran Jeet Singh: Lots! I’m working on books for kids and adults. I’m also working on a movie and a documentary, as well as a new podcast. It’s all fun, and I’m excited to share.

Bhupinder Singh: What is your message for WSN readers?
Simran Jeet Singh: Enjoy life! Have fun! Keep reading!

Bhupinder Singh: Thanks for the time to address these questions. Wishing you the best of luck and hope that we will have more opportunities to visit you in the future.

An en­gi­neer by pro­fes­sion, hail­ing from Myan­mar, ed­u­cated in In­dia, Bhupin­der Singh is a Hous­ton-based busi­ness­man, with a keen in­ter­est in writ­ing books and ar­ti­cles on Sikh his­tory, mo­ti­va­tion and spir­i­tu­al­ity.