Jew Interviews Sikh - Plain and Simple

Below is a second in the communitarianist interview series of my blog. Just like the last interview, it is exclusive, in its entirety, and 100% unedited. The interview is with a Mr. Guruka Singh and is an online prominent figure of the Sikh faith. My questions were based on an assumption that most paranoid Jews such as myself have (everything is being destroyed, polarized, assimilated and ultimately, annihilated). But Mr. Singh reminded me that this isn't necessarily the case of all small minorities, which of course is great to hear! This interview assumes you know the basics of Sikh faith and thus does not cover the basic tenants of Sikh religion, which can be learned about here. To the right, in the links section, is a link to Mr. Singh's web site so please take a visit and donate if you can. And without further ado:

1) I suppose the first question should be who are you and what do you do/represent?

Well, first and foremost, I’m a human being. I don’t mean that facetiously. We all need to become more human at all times. Man = mind and Hu = ray of light. So, to be human means that one’s mind becomes full of light. I’m currently serving as the Executive Director of SikhNet.com, a Web site that connects Sikhs around the world and serves as a deep set of resources for all things related to the Sikh way of life.

2) How do you think the Sikh culture is holding up in America? Is Punjabi still being taught to 2nd and 3rd generations here in the States?

There is no such thing as Sikh culture. There’s Punjabi culture and there’s American culture. The Sikh way of life is not about culture. It’s about consciousness. The language of the Sikh Gurus is Gurmukhi, not Punjabi. Many modern day Punjabi speakers cannot read and understand the songs of our Gurus. But that’s not as important as it may seem. The effect of these songs is direct and occurs without needing to understand the words.

3) Can one convert to Sikhism?

Personally, I prefer not to call the Sikh way of life an “-ism.” It’s simply a way of life and a state of consciousness, along with a set of very effective tools for maintaining one’s consciousness. My personal view is this: What is a Sikh? It is a very simple thing. “Sikh” means student. A student of what? A student of life. One who is here on this earth to learn how the universe works. The fact is, everyone is born a Sikh. Everyone is born to learn and understand reality. Some become Christians, some become Jews, some become Buddhists, some pretend that they are Sikhs, and a very few remain true Sikhs.

4) Is there a Sikh “zionism” of sorts prevalent here in America? Is a “Khalistan” still something the Sikh population pursues, or do you think since there is a Sikh Indian president the persecution may subside?

I cannot generalize about the ‘Sikh population.’ I’m not a political creature. I’m sure there are individuals to whom a sovereign Khalsa state is an important matter. To me, a Sikh can live anywhere and live happily and serve effectively. I think it’s great for global awareness of Sikh identity that the PM of India is a Sikh. Persecution is very much an interactive matter. I firmly believe that one literally creates one’s own reality by the thoughts one thinks. I simply bless everyone and pay no attention to anyone who has hate in their heart. Let them be blessed as well.

5) What do Sikhs think of Judaism? Do they ever mention the similarities between the two religions? (equality, monotheism, persecution etc...)

Oh, Sikhs and Jews have a lot in common. We both love to feed people! Enter a Jewish household and you will be offered food right away; same thing in a Sikh household.

6) What does your community do about inter-faith marriage? Is it prevalent? Has your population here in the States declined because of it?

This is not a concern to me. Again, it’s not about culture, it’s about one’s personal relationship to one’s Guru. Either that relationship is strong or it’s not. It’s very personal. I encourage everyone to marry the person with whom they belong. Some of the best Sikhs I know do not look like Sikhs, and many turbaned Sikhs do not live as Sikhs. It’s way beyond labels. It’s a matter of the heart.

7) America often has a clandestine way of cutting people off from their culture and religion through individualism and its inevitable consequences. How is the Sikh community dealing with individualism amongst its followers, in particular its younger generations? Has it even been an issue? Is attendance at Sikh temples down?

We encourage individualism; let everyone be himself or herself. We all grow from individual consciousness into group consciousness and thence into universal consciousness. Some Sikh temples seem to have no “juice.” They have become political or ritualistic. But some Sikh temples are alive and full of energy and the joy of worshipping together and eating together. Attendance is down in the former, and up in the latter.

8) Although I doubt there is any specific proof, it is widely known that the Israelis often support, via arms and finance, the Kurds and their struggle for Kurdistan. What if Israel, or any nation for that matter, started supporting the Shaheed Khalsa Force, how would the Sikh community react to it, both here in the States and in the Punjabi/Kashmir regions?

I must admit my unabashed ignorance of these matters and fully admit my inability to speculate regarding them.

9) Has there been any mistaken persecution against Sikhs after 9/11 here in America?

Well, there was the whole Balbir Singh Sodhi matter which occurred right after 9/11. But actually I think 9/11 had a very positive effect on awareness about Sikh identity, which actually led to less persecution. Immediately after 9/11, SikhNet became very active in training police, community leaders and airport security personnel all over the USA about Sikh identity.

10) Do you think your dress code, much like the Chasidic dress code, is a way to protect against assimilation? Or are there many Sikhs that do cut their hair and not partake in any of the mandatory 5 K’s? Is it prevalent more so here in America or is it the same rate here as in India?

To keep one’s hairs is a personal decision. Either one experiences the sacredness of keeping the body intact, or one does not. Some of the most beautiful Sikhs I have met have not kept their hairs and wear Western clothing. Sikhi exists in the heart and actions of the person, not in the appearance. Keeping the roop (form) of a Sikh is a personal discipline. It is a personal matter. Either one experiences the benefits of it or one does not. In my travels this year I am seeing a renaissance among the Sikh youth around the world. They are awakening to the direct experience of the discipline of the form and practice of the Sikh way of life.

11) Has there been a polarization of Sikh religiosity? (ie has there been a shift to-wards extremes on both ends of the religious spectrum)

No, not in my experience. The Sikh way of life is not about extremes. It’s about balance. It’s easy to be an extremist and it’s easy to be lazy. It’s difficult to be balanced.

12) I have always felt it a shame that there isn’t more Jewish/Sikh dialogue and always wanted to start a Sikh Jewish Organization for better understanding and relationships. This isn’t a question, just a chance for you to say or ask what you want.

Yes, I agree with you on that. Let’s get it started. You know, the turban is just a large yarmulke.