Mission of the Ik Jot Foundation
The Ik Jot Foundation researches the sacred poems and songs, compiled in the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, from a universal and interfaith spirit.
We provide translations of these songs, and related historical and literary material, based upon a universal, interfaith, all-inclusive understanding of the philosophy of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh’s Bani contained within the Siri Dasam Granth Sahib.
We make this work available to the public through publications; and through the development of a Creative-Commons database where others can participate in the research and translation process.
We provide workshops, courses and trainings that apply the universal wisdom of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib to develop the human potential, facilitate healing in body, mind and spirit, and build interfaith community.
Our Guiding Principles
In order to deliver this mission, the Board, staff, and volunteers of the Ik Jot Foundation agree to abide by the following principles.
- The Universal-Guiding Consciousness, what we call Guru, guides our process.
- We act respectfully towards all people, groups and organizations.
- We strive for an authentic understanding of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh’s Bani contained within the Siri Dasam Granth Sahib.
- We allow historical texts, known and yet to be known, to inform our understanding of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh’s Bani contained within the Siri Dasam Granth Sahib.
- Mapping the meaning contained within the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh’s Bani contained within the Siri Dasam Granth Sahib is itself a process that we discover, build and share with others.
The Universal-Guiding Consciousness, what we call Guru, guides our process.
Guru is a consciousness present in everything, and capable of moving through the heart of any person. We develop our sensitivity to see, feel and honor how Guru guides the Foundation and all its projects, including the translation process.
We act respectfully towards all people, groups and organizations
We value diplomacy. We communicate with graceful, gracious manners and embrace even those who challenge the work. We remain aware of the delicacy of serving the Guru in this way. Whenever possible, we neutralize conflict ahead of time through diplomatic channels.
We strive for an authentic understanding of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh’s Bani contained within the Siri Dasam Granth Sahib.
We open ourselves to an authentic understanding of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh’s Bani contained within the Siri Dasam Granth Sahib without needing to identify with a particular religious, political, cultural or personal point of view. Where there are different perspectives on the meaning of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib ji, we give preference to traditional meanings over more recent interpretations.
We allow spiritual and historical texts, known and yet to be known, to inform our understanding of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh’s Bani contained within the Siri Dasam Granth Sahib.
Our understanding combines (a) researching historical and linguistic context, with (b) the meditative process that gives insight and understanding to the spiritual truths contained within Siri Guru Granth Sahib. Resources that inform the work include, but are not limited to: Guru Gobind Singh’s bani from Siri Dasam Granth Sahib; oral traditions and stories from the lives of the Sikh Gurus; the writings, teachings and hukamnamas of the Sikh Gurus; historical records from contemporaries of the Sikh Gurus; Suraj Prakash; the Vaars of Bhai Gurdas. We are spiritual archeologists – preserving the record of what Guru brings us, not absolute authorities.
Mapping the meaning contained within the Siri Guru Granth Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh’s Bani contained within the Siri Dasam Granth Sahib is itself a process that we discover, build and share with others.
We build goodwill, freely share, and apply the principles of Open Source.
Contact: ikjotfoundation@gmail.com