Show Notes
Why would a British atheist become a Sikh at just 17? Bishan Singh also known as Sam Ashton, shares how reading the Quran, Bible, Bhagavad Gita and Guru Granth Sahib Ji ultimately led him to Sikhi.
In this episode of the Finding Sikhi Podcast, Bishan Singh shares his complete journey from questioning religion to discovering Bhai Jagraj Singh, wearing a Dastar to school, taking Amrit and learning Gurmukhi from scratch.
Raised in a white British family in Nottingham, Bishan grew up with little connection to organised religion. As a teenager, his search for truth led him through atheism, philosophy, Islam, Christianity, Hindu thought and Buddhism.
Everything changed when he discovered Sikhi.
After watching Bhai Jagraj Singh at Speakers’ Corner, Bishan began exploring the original Basics of Sikhi videos and reading an English translation of Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Within months, he stopped drinking, became vegetarian, began keeping his Kes and wore a Dastar to school.
At just 17, he took Amrit.
In this honest and thought-provoking conversation, Bishan discusses:
• Growing up atheist in a white British family • Reading the Quran, Bible and Bhagavad Gita • What made Sikhi different from the other paths he studied • Discovering Bhai Jagraj Singh and Basics of Sikhi • Reading Guru Granth Sahib Ji in English • Visiting a Gurdwara for the first time • Wearing a Dastar to school and facing ridicule • Why his headteacher initially thought he was mocking Sikhi • Taking Amrit at only 17 years old • Returning to school wearing a Kirpan • Helping establish a Kirpan policy at his school • Learning Gurmukhi and Gurbani Santhya from scratch • Memorising Japji Sahib without knowing Punjabi • The difference between looking Sikh and changing internally • Why he believes nobody can simply be “born Sikh” • Whether Sikhi is a mixture of Hinduism and Islam • Advice for people from Punjabi and non-Punjabi backgrounds • Why knowledge must be learned—and then passed forward
This is a story about searching sincerely, following the truth wherever it leads and developing a personal relationship with the Guru.
Whether you are exploring Sikhism, questioning your own faith or were raised Sikh without fully understanding Sikhi, Bishan Singh’s journey shows that the Guru’s path is open to everyone.
Please share this podcast with someone searching for purpose, faith or a deeper understanding of Sikhi.
▶ Subscribe to Basics of Sikhi TV for more honest conversations, Sikh podcasts and inspiring journeys towards the Guru.
More from Basics of Sikhi Podcast
Gurbani Kaur grew up with Lamborghinis and designer bags. Yet the moment she felt like “the wealthiest person in the world” came from being surrounded by Gurbani and the love of Sangat. In this episode of the Finding Sikhi Podcast, Gurbani Kaur Bhenji shares her journey from a life centred on appearance and material wealth to finding strength, identity and belonging through the Guru. She opens up about arriving at the Gurdwara during a dark time at university, feeling she wasn’t good enough to wear a Dastaar or take Amrit, and the Gursikhs who supported her family when they lost their home. The conversation also explores marriage, motherhood, depression and therapy, and why we should never feel ashamed to ask for help. In this episode, we discuss: • Growing up with wealth but struggling to find peace • How Kirtan, Seva and Sangat drew her towards Sikhi • Moving from makeup and fashion to keeping Kes and wearing a Dastaar • Feeling unworthy of Amrit and finding acceptance • Losing the family home and receiving support from Sangat • Choosing a marriage built on love for the Guru • Mental health, therapy and suffering in silence • Navigating motherhood and family challenges Discovering the true wealth of Gurbani and Sangat Whether you’re exploring Sikhi, struggling with belonging or facing challenges while already on this path, Gurbani Kaur’s story offers an honest reflection on finding support and building a personal relationship with the Guru. Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement on their journey. If you would like to share your Finding Sikhi story, contact: [email protected] Subscribe to BoS TV for more conversations in the Finding Sikhi Series. ▶ Watch the full series: [Finding Sikhi playlist](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB2BQe8aYqyD5aPyVQhTCahzVvhC2qFrj) #FindingSikhi #SikhPodcast #BasicsOfSikhi —————————————————— 📱 Social Media: YOUTUBE: BoSTV - https://bit.ly/3rYk5IW INSTAGRAM: @basicsofsikhi.tv - www.instagram.com/basicsofsikhi.tv 🙏 Please SUPPORT our work: www.basicsofsikhi.com/donate 👋🏽 Contact us: www.basicsofsikhi.com/contact-us
Eight years to translate Japji Sahib into English poetry. Bhai Satpal Singh explains why it took that long.
An astrologer told Bhai Bahadar Singh’s family that he would live only until the age of 9. Now 87+, he shares the blessing he received from Baba Nand Singh Ji and his rare personal memories of Baba Isher Singh Ji of Nanaksar Kaleran. In this special BoS TV Gurmukh Series conversation, Bhai Bahadar Singh takes us from village Bagh in pre-Partition Punjab to Nanaksar, Baghdad and Britain. He recounts his family’s close relationship with Baba Nand Singh Ji, the years in which he received the darshan and Sangat of Baba Isher Singh Ji, and three unforgettable occasions when he was able to meet Baba Ji personally. Bhai Bahadar Singh recalls how his grandfather brought him before Baba Nand Singh Ji after an astrologer predicted that he would not live beyond nine. When the family later approached Baba Isher Singh Ji, he told them that the elder Baba Ji had already granted him the gift of life. Now, at 87+, Bhai Bahadur Singh preserves memories belonging to those blessed generations. In this conversation, he shares: • What it truly means to become a Gurmukh • How Baba Nand Singh Ji first came to village Bagh • The blessing Baba Ji gave to the families of the village • Baba Nand Singh Ji’s extraordinary reverence for Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji • Why his father was made to recite five Sukhmani Sahib Paaths • The blessing Bhai Bahadar Singh received as a young child • How Baba Isher Singh Ji confirmed that blessing when he turned 9 • His personal meetings with Baba Isher Singh Ji from 1950 to 1963 • What Baba Ji taught him when he was reciting Gurbani “like a machine” • His memories of Baba Isher Singh Ji’s final journey to Harike Pattan • Escaping the violence of Partition on a refugee train • The importance of Sukhmani Sahib, Gurbani and Amrit Vela • Working as a civil engineer in Baghdad • Crawling beneath restricted wire to reach the historic Gurdwara in Baghdad • How daily Kirtan brought the Sikh Sangat together in Iraq • Arriving in Britain in 1967 with only £2 • Life as the only turbaned Sikh in Blackpool • His 40-year connection with Nanaksar Cape Hill • Teaching Punjabi to hundreds of children • Sharing Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s message through interfaith work • His advice for young Sikhs struggling to connect with Gurbani
Was Sikhi ever meant to be only a private religion?
They threatened his wife and children. His response was not fear, it was Chardi Kala.