You are clearly well read and use many sources to support your own book. Which book would you say has had the single biggest influence on your own life? Singh: You are right. I do read a lot and use as many sources as possible to support the material in Achieving Inner Peace. The book which has had the single most influence on my life is: The Nature of Human Values by Rokeach, M. (1973)

What do you believe is the greatest cause of unhappiness in the world today?
Singh: The greatest cause of unhappiness is unbridled craving for material things. We crave and try to maintain a grip on what we believe will make us happy. This type of happiness which is dependent upon worldly things does not last long, and then we want something better which has just come on the market. Thus we end up being trapped in an unending cycle of suffering.

When you first decided to write this book, what were your major aims?
Singh: I have been thinking of happiness/human suffering, contentment/greed, compassion/cruelty etc. for a long time. To get the answers to my queries, I read books on psychology; philosophy and different religions and held discussions with people who shared my quest or believed had the answers. My main aim in writing the book was to share my experiences and knowledge gained over many years.

Do you personally find following all of the advice suggested in the book easy?
Singh: Frankly, no. But I try my best to follow it. It has made me quite mindful, and I often consider whether what I am doing is right or wrong, whether it is in congruence with my values or not. I am more conscious of negative emotions like lust, greed, and anger, as they arise and try to take steps to take remedial action before they take a firm hold or consume me.

How did you find the process of writing this book? How important to you was it to put your ideas down on paper?
Singh: I was thoroughly committed to writing Achieving Inner Peace. It was very important for me to write a book which would be of benefit to the readers. I wanted to develop and explain some themes which I had touched upon in my first book—Achieving a Healthy Balanced Life! It was not easy to write Achieving Inner Peace, but all the hard work I had to put in giving its final form or shape was worth it.

In your opinion, is the process and pursuit of inner peace inextricably linked to Sikhism?
Singh: I think people do want to achieve inner peace. We all seek it, but do not know how to achieve it. Psychology and philosophy provide us with some suggestions and some answers but not all of them.

I am a practising Sikh, introspection; obtaining inner peace and advancement on the spiritual path are inextricably linked to Sikhism. But then, I believe that most of the community faiths do advocate the process and pursuit of inner peace as well.