Introducing Dr. I.J. Singh's Books

Sikhs are now a visible presence all over the globe. Their young, logical and practical religion invites considerable interest and attention. Dr. I.J Singh has written a thoughtful series of essays on issues and problems confronting Sikhs at the end of the millennium. As a Sikh who has lived much of his life in a non-Sikh milieu in North America, he reflects on what it means to be a Sikh, the import of Sikh beliefs and practices with those of other religions and the experiences common to all Sikh immigrants. These perceptive essays challenge Sikhs and intrigue non-Sikhs. Religious, historical, social and political issues are debated. The age-old traditions and practices of the Sikhs are recast in language and concepts that are contemporary and relevant. Forthrightly but tactfully the essays engage issues that impact on everyday life, but without neglecting the magic and meaning of tradition.

This volume should be of special interest to Sikhs everywhere who are young enough to be inquisitive and questioning about their heritage. It should serve those who are looking for a more logical, rational basis for their lifestyle.

A subtle yet bold foray into Sikhism through the mind of a postmodern thinker, "The Sikh Way" is I.J. Singh’s second such collection of essays. He leaves little on the table within; most of the current big questions

A scientist by training, yet discreetly imaginative, Dr. Singh avoids the repackaging of oft-used cultural clichés in his essays; to wit, his elaborations on the distinct nature of the Sikh world-view present fresh and often brutally honest vistas to readers accustomed to reading uniformly laudatory paeans on Sikhism by Sikh authors. Dr. Singh, moreover, avoids being overly reductive while, at the same time, accounting for the complexity that is inherent in a discussion dealing with the nature of history as it pertains to Sikhism or in a commentary on what may be learned from the idea of miri-piri in a United States led by a President who supports a greater interaction between the two.

However, I.J. Singh’s ultimate goal as a writer is not to provide answers - something that he acknowledges is often not possible - but rather to catalyze discussions that promote the use of "critical thinking" in a progressive search for answers. In such a way, even disagreement can be a step in the appropriate direction as long as "one does not become disagreeable in the process".

Written in a prose style that is conversational, yet precise, Dr. Singh’s take on Sikhism in the postmodern era is 21 movements of finely orchestrated observations that are, at once, hopeful yet honest. Faith must be married to reason; energy in the form of discussion must be constantly generated if we are to grow as a community; controversial issues must be met with critical thinking and tradition honored unless unequivocally discredited; these are some of the thoughts one is left with at the end of the last essay. The Sikh Way indeed heralds the presence of an important essayist among the Diaspora Sikhs.

Age often bestows to us the "graybeard" title that some choose to call us by; it often lends gravity to oneself. Few however possess the insight and wisdom that is shown in this new book by Dr. I J Singh. "Being and Becoming a Sikh" is the third collection of essays that Dr. Singh has produced and it shows again the keen observation and reflection that has been the hallmark of the previous two.

The book starts off with an autobiographical essay where the author discusses his personal growth in Sikhi and how he has traveled the "inner journey". To him it is a work in progress that gives direction to his life and he thus becomes the constant student - the real "Sikh". From there he goes on to discuss what a "modern Sikh" is and the power of a uniform. Although he discusses what a uniform imposes on the wearer, he does not go on to discuss the unique features of Sikhism - are we unique because we keep long hair or are we unique because our set of values is so high? What should be the attributes of the "Sant -sipahi"?

There are thoughtful looks at fundamentalism and fanaticism, whether Sikhs are a different race or are they an ethnic entity, on turbans and patkas and on singing and dancing. He discusses the role of the Gurus in nation building although it seems to be a stretch. Nation building requires a code of law and Sikh jurisprudence has still to make its mark so that it can be seriously regarded. There is an excellent piece on the enemies of the cause - but instead of listing those enemies it points out how it is the enemy within that requires our attention.

The events of the modern day continue to exercise the author. He makes note of the controversy that surrounds Dya Singh, the accomplished Sikh performer and also the scandals involving Enron and the corporate greed they exhibited. There is a cautionary note about our republican origins and his hope for the future - that we will survive if we remember our role as a movement for human self-development. There is also comment on the controversy in the Catholic Church and compares it with the Sikhs who do not have an organized theological bureaucracy. In one of his concluding essays there is a hilarious speech given by an imaginary Sikh Gurdwara President who is convinced of his own righteousness. It is followed by a string of provocative questions including "What would Guru Nanak think if he came here today?"

This book makes for an excellent read for a Sikh. Its utility for a non-Sikh may be limited because of the issues peculiar to our religion that he discusses. There is also some duplication of comment and incident. These are probably appropriate for a column written over a period of time but it could have been edited out of this book. However these are small oversights. I found the book to be thoughtful without being trenchant, while providing a fresh and whimsical look at some venerable institutions within Sikhism. It is a "must read" for all Sikhs - particularly the young ones out on the front lines who are keeping the flag flying. Being a Sikh is the easy part - we all are- while becoming a Sikh requires the effort and the "himmat" that few of us have.

"The World According to Sikhi", a collection of twenty-five essays, marks the latest milestone on the journey I. J. Singh began in his immensely popular three earlier works.

Like its three predecessors, The World According to Sikhi is not a catechism about who Sikhs are, and what they believe or practice. Instead, Sikhi is revealed as a vibrant path of multifaceted meaning and universal, timeless relevance. This book covers the gamut of Sikh experience -- from our identity in the diaspora and how the foundations of the faith continue to influence its followers today, to the ethical framework Sikhi provides for a useful, productive life.

Throughout the book runs the thread common to the personal journey of every serious spiritual seeker. The word “Sikh” implies being a continual student, and the essays mark the signposts along the way. It is a seemingly inverse path, progressing from being a Sikh simply by accident of birth, to becoming a Sikh. A committed practitioner of Sikhi strives to penetrate the meanings of the eternal teachings of the faith and formulate a personal response that incorporates them into all aspects of everyday life. These essays are a cogent roadmap of the process whereby the journey becomes the destination, that is, as in all spiritual quests, uniquely one’s own.

The World According to Sikhi invites the reader to share in the joyous celebration of the inner life of the mind. The first essay, “Guru Granth: Major Currents in the Sikh Scripture,” explores the heightened concept of the “Word.” Guru Granth, the eternal, living Guru of the Sikhs, speaks not only of the written or spoken Word, but also of the unspoken word, anhad, to which “the inner self vibrates and resonates such that the mind becomes part of divine connectivity.” The Word becomes God only when a Sikh reads it and adopts it, such that the universal and timeless values of Guru Granth provide an ethical compass for an examined life, one of introspection and self-awareness.