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Seva: Sikh Secrets on How to be Good in the Real World
Think of any disaster scene and you’ll find Sikh volunteers rallying to the site, feeding migrant workers, helping riot victims, and cleaning up after earthquakes and floods. Why has this 25 million strong community become the world’s Good Samaritans? What is it about their values that makes them do so much good? And how is it that they're also able to channel so much joy and laughter while serving langar (food) to people from all backgrounds?
Through science-based studies, interviews with Sikhs and using its history and fables, Sikh journalist Jasreen Mayal Khanna unlocks eight rules for daily life. Rules so simple and yet so transformative that you will become kinder, happier and lead a more meaningful life. Seva is a beautiful, inspiring and moving book that will change you from the inside out.
Through science-based studies, interviews with Sikhs and using its history and fables, Sikh journalist Jasreen Mayal Khanna unlocks eight rules for daily life. Rules so simple and yet so transformative that you will become kinder, happier and lead a more meaningful life. Seva is a beautiful, inspiring and moving book that will change you from the inside out.
- GenresNonfiction
233 pages, Hardcover
Published July 24, 2021
9 people are currently reading
111 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 24, 2025
the gurbani is one of the richest works of poetry and exploration of life through the living Guru's words.
This is a light and pop read which simplifies the essence of gurbani for anyone who finds it complex or otherworldly.
This is a light and pop read which simplifies the essence of gurbani for anyone who finds it complex or otherworldly.
April 14, 2022
Why do Sikhs do good?
The book begins with the answer to the above question and then introduces the concept of seva as a part of Sikh culture. As the book progresses, the author beautifully knits the concept of seva in our daily life.
The author writes about 8 values of Sikh legacy that still play an integral part of our life in the form of Seva.
The values discussed in the book are:
1. Help someone every day
2. Embrace joy.
3. Be brave
4. Say thank you daily
5. Learn to laugh at yourself
6. Practice equality at home
7. Work harder than you pray
8. Live in Chardi Kala
Each value mentioned above is described in detail with practical ways to imbibing these simple values in your daily life.
Not only will you learn the roots of these values, but also understand how they are relevant in our life till date.
I highly recommend you to read this book by Jasreen Mayal Khanna for a better life and a new outlook.
Personal note:
Being a Sikh reading this book, every page had brought tears to my eyes. I am staying away from home and there is no Gurudwara near by for me to visit. Each value mentioned by the author reflected the teachings my mother had brought me up with. I had people tell me that I'm not a Sikh because I had chopped my hair. But Sikhi comes from heart, from your intentions from your way of life. I felt like I had got my identity back. I felt happiness, gratitude and a connection with the higher power that words can't express. I had always questioned some of my personality traits and this book answered them all. I may not reflect Sikhi in my appearance, but I reflect it in my actions.
To all those who are going to read this book, please have an open mind to learning values that serve you the purpose of life.
The book begins with the answer to the above question and then introduces the concept of seva as a part of Sikh culture. As the book progresses, the author beautifully knits the concept of seva in our daily life.
The author writes about 8 values of Sikh legacy that still play an integral part of our life in the form of Seva.
The values discussed in the book are:
1. Help someone every day
2. Embrace joy.
3. Be brave
4. Say thank you daily
5. Learn to laugh at yourself
6. Practice equality at home
7. Work harder than you pray
8. Live in Chardi Kala
Each value mentioned above is described in detail with practical ways to imbibing these simple values in your daily life.
Not only will you learn the roots of these values, but also understand how they are relevant in our life till date.
I highly recommend you to read this book by Jasreen Mayal Khanna for a better life and a new outlook.
Personal note:
Being a Sikh reading this book, every page had brought tears to my eyes. I am staying away from home and there is no Gurudwara near by for me to visit. Each value mentioned by the author reflected the teachings my mother had brought me up with. I had people tell me that I'm not a Sikh because I had chopped my hair. But Sikhi comes from heart, from your intentions from your way of life. I felt like I had got my identity back. I felt happiness, gratitude and a connection with the higher power that words can't express. I had always questioned some of my personality traits and this book answered them all. I may not reflect Sikhi in my appearance, but I reflect it in my actions.
To all those who are going to read this book, please have an open mind to learning values that serve you the purpose of life.
September 24, 2021
Simple, engaging, witty and wise. Seva is a must read for simplifying our life and struggles.
January 23, 2024
How to make Seva (doing good for others) a habit?
Treat it as a celebration instead of a chore.
A well written simple book that talks about what it means to be good human and how with a few principles we can achieve more than we realize.
Treat it as a celebration instead of a chore.
A well written simple book that talks about what it means to be good human and how with a few principles we can achieve more than we realize.
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November 30, 2022It's hard for me to rate this one. On one hand I thought that the take-way and research related to the religion were poignant.
The parts related to the author herself came across as a little self-serving or just tone deaf. To be fair, Khanna makes notes that culture and religion are two different things. I personally come from a very traditional household, and so much of her personal experiences were simply not relatable to me. But I appreciate her for writing the book, because at it's core I like to learn, and I learned so much. As I was reading I would google various people and events she mentioned.
With that being said, it was a very well written book. A great stepping stone for learning about Sikhism and the History of Sikhism. I have definitely begun to incorporate those core messages into my life- such as "chardi kala" and "mari pari" I take pride in knowing that my job allows me to help others, and in some ways, that's my daily seva. Definitely feel inspired to do more for others though!
The parts related to the author herself came across as a little self-serving or just tone deaf. To be fair, Khanna makes notes that culture and religion are two different things. I personally come from a very traditional household, and so much of her personal experiences were simply not relatable to me. But I appreciate her for writing the book, because at it's core I like to learn, and I learned so much. As I was reading I would google various people and events she mentioned.
With that being said, it was a very well written book. A great stepping stone for learning about Sikhism and the History of Sikhism. I have definitely begun to incorporate those core messages into my life- such as "chardi kala" and "mari pari" I take pride in knowing that my job allows me to help others, and in some ways, that's my daily seva. Definitely feel inspired to do more for others though!
May 17, 2025
It’s a really nice book that depicts the need for Seva and the Sikh religion which a lot of Hindus follow as well. However, there are many dark sides to this religion as well, and to me I would have preferred that it was more balanced. The book shows Sikhs as the holy grail and the perfect people. I also follow the Sikh learnings but there is so much more we can do as humans and that part is not shown in the book.
November 20, 2025
I read this at the hospital when my mother was sick. I found a lot of encouragement and wisdom from this book. Thanks a lot to the author for writing such a wonderful book with profound wisdom. This books is timeless.
August 10, 2021
Cute, easy read. Enjoyable. A good reminder of good ethics and morals one should follow in order to lead a good life.
October 5, 2021
Excellent! Such relevant tips on how to live a more enhanced life explained in a simplistic manner with Sikhism as a paradigm!
December 14, 2021
After long, a book that touches your heart and strikes all the right chords! Brilliantly written! A wonderful experience!
December 29, 2021
This was a beautiful, warm, uplifting read and a good one to end the year with.
December 25, 2023
Sweet and simple. Wish it was more well written and better researched/edited, but regardless, a great starter-guide on Sikh values.
October 22, 2024
A wonderful book that leaves you wanting to be a better human.
October 11, 2021
So well written, so relevant. I cherished every page and hope to carry its values for time to come ❤️
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews