Sikhs and Sikhism - A View with a Bias by Dr. I. J. Singh

Sikhs and Sikhism
    A View with a Bias
    by Dr. I. J. Singh -New York

PREFACE

Of the many journeys that life requires, of the many places to visit and of the many pilgrimages that one must make, to travel within is to travel the furthest. It is the most lonely path, a never-ending one, yet incomparable and seductive in its winding loveliness; to paraphrase Frost, the woods are indeed lovely, dark and deep. One must travel within to understand and master what lies without.

The institutions that sustain us, whether religious or secular, define for us the world outside in terms of the universe within us.

The essays in this collection define an ordinary Sikh's journey into the mystery and reality of Sikhism while living in a predominantly non-sikh milieu. Since a man, in many ways, is shaped by his heritage, these essays present one Sikh's meandering through the highways and byways of his heritage. A journey that is, at once, tortuous and arduous, endless yet satisfying, but above all, is a journey of love. The essays present a non-scholarly view of the Sikh way of life.

In these writings, therefore, rational, intellectual conceptualizations are avoided as an unnecessary indulgence; they are better left to scholars. The opinions expressed are my responsibility and are indicative of my biases, yearnings, defeats, successes and excesses. Hopefully, my views can be supported by references to Sikh sources of authority whether scriptural, historical or anecdotal; however, such authoritative underpinnings for the arguments presented are deliberately kept to a minimum. The essence of writing is best expressed by T.S. Eliot: "Common words exact without vulgarity, formal words precise but not pedantic." Many of the essays are somewhat terse, others are rambling. I wish they could have all been shorter for words should be weighed, not counted.

My mother taught me that the reality of religion transcends logic. From my father I learned to enjoy the intellectually rigorous approach to Sikhism. It took me half a life-time to realize that the appreciation and understanding of Sikhism requires that it be accosted both devotionally and analytically; either technique alone remains insufficient.

Thinking about these matters was not always easy or comfortable but in the end, it was satisfying. Living and working with friends and foes alike resulted in this effort. The former made it possible, the latter made it necessary; I am grateful to both. Jerry Barrier has been a most encouraging source of support. I deeply appreciate his kindness as well his generous "Introduction" to these essays.

The question must be asked: Why write? It is a luxury, a form of self-indulgence but it remains the most precise and economical way of examining oneself as minutely and microscopically as one's inclinations and talents allow. A good mirror can reflect with brutal honesty.

In many ways these essays are talks with my father and daughter that could not occur.

I.J. Singh
New York

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