The Light We Give

How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life

By: Simran Jeet Singh

Narrated by: Simran Jeet Singh

Length: 9 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

A National Bestseller

“I love this book… It is rich in wisdom, religious and personal, and it is absolutely charming.” —Anne Lamott, author of Dusk, Night, Dawn and Help, Thanks, Wow

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.

©2022 Simran Jeet Singh (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“I love this book: The riveting story of Simran Jeet Singh’s life growing up as a Sikh kid in San Antonio with his brown skin and turban, written so beautifully, both somehow exciting and humble. It is rich in wisdom, religious and personal, and it is absolutely charming.” (Anne Lamott, New York Times best-selling author of Dusk, Night, Dawn, and Help, Thanks, Wow)

I couldn’t put it down

If everyone read this book and lived by it, the world would be a better place.

A wonderful book.

Perfect for anyone and very enlightening. I highly recommend it and will buy for my family to read.

Beautiful, inspiring, enlightening

The lessons throughout can be applied in so many facets of life. Simran is insightful and his sense of humor is enduring. I have a greater appreciation for human kind and a desire to apply these teachings to my life.

Smart and inspiring

I was thoroughly delighted by this book. Blending the genres of memoir, history, religious studies and self-help, the author does such a nice job explaining his faith and how it has shaped him into what I consider a model American citizen that I tore through the audio book far more quickly than I expected. It’s smart, honest and funny. I will be gifting more to friends and family members, which I rarely do.

Peaceful and Relaxing audio

A Beautiful life stories that speaks to the human condition and how to look deep inside of us to understand our fears. These experiences will hell you to live in todays world by applying Sigh philosophy.

So much wisdom

I met Singh at SXSW and his session about radical connectedness was amazing and essential

Enlightenment for the everyday-person

Thought-provoking, enlightening book. These concepts, explained in this way, moved one to do and be better, without preachiness or guilt. Excellent!

Absolutely a worthwhile read (especially for white america) but sometimes a little indulgent and not especially focused on Sikhi

I really liked this book (I plan on buying it for my mother for Christmas.) Offered interesting insight into his life, his story, and the perspectives Singh brings as a writer and educator. Some parts feel a lot longer than they need to be, honestly this 350 page book could probably be cut to 250. A lot of it talks about his own personal biography and interactions with racism, which was interesting, but not exactly what it advertised. I was expecting a lot more discussion about Sikhism and it’s specific theology, but a lot of it focused on Singh himself. Regardless, Singh is a compelling speaker and a fantastic storyteller. He gives you a lot to think about, and even more practices to put in your everyday life. No complaints about the audiobook itself, Singh was engaged and soft spoken. Section 5 was really interesting. can’t wait for Singh’s next project!

Greatly Thankful

I am so grateful for having had the opportunity to listen to this book To hear it in the voice of the author was especially meaningful, Since I was so unfamiliar with many of the words. The tools given for practicing this way are straightforward and helpful and I’m grateful for that. Key West has a motto “We are all part of one of human family” there are bumper stickers available with it given at no cost. It is the only bumper sticker that we have on our car.

This book will lift you up.

This is a book of well crafted stories about living with some humor, peace and compassion in troubled times.

Imagine growing up in Texas as a boy with long hair, love of soccer and reading books: It’s going to be both funny and tragic.

But most of all, this story is uplifting and instructive. How do we hold our heads high when the going gets tough? Where do we look for inspiration? What does each of us have to offer the world?

Highly recommended.