As a boy growing up in South Texas, Simran Jeet Singh and his brothers confronted racism daily. Instead of giving in to negativity, he delved into the Sikh teachings 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. Part memoir, part spiritual journey, The Light We Give offers an approach to a happier, more fulfilling life through Sikh teachings on love and service.
Clever, informative, and very accessible ... [Singh] uses relatable humor and amusing anecdotes to connect with readers about his faith and show them how they, too, can apply it to their lives. He stresses the importance of being unafraid to speak up, encourages readers to challenge racism and injustice, and talks about how he pushed past his comfort zone to bring awareness of the Sikh faith. Readers will come away from the book wanting to be better themselves and to work for positive change in the world.
Singh provides an accessible work that combines personal testimony of a fascinating and little-understood ethnic and religious minority in America and an introduction to the teachings of Sikhi ... The author calls on readers to seek a life of active empathy, seeing each person, even those who are hurtful, as valuable and worthy of kindness and love ... A worthwhile and readable introduction to Sikhi and a strong testament to peaceful living.
... [a] lucid blend of memoir and self-help ... Singh’s fleet-footed storytelling seamlessly moves between personal stories, Sikh theology and history, and thoughtful musings on what it means to live by a Sikh philosophy, adding up to an exemplary meditation on the faith. This has a lot to offer.
