The Maansik Meets Podcast

In this episode of Maansik Meets, we begin our Sikhi series by exploring the powerful concepts of ego (haumai), hukam(divine order), and the nature of the mind. We unpack how ego shapes our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, often creating internal conflict, stress, and disconnection. Through a Sikhi lens, we discuss how understanding hukam can help us let go of control, reduce overthinking, and find a deeper sense of peace and acceptance in our everyday lives.This conversation bridges spirituality and mental health, offering a fresh perspective on how ancient teachings remain deeply relevant today. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, or simply trying to better understand yourself, this episode invites you to reflect on your relationship with your mind and ego. It’s a grounded and thoughtful start to our Sikhi series—one that encourages awareness, balance, and a more mindful way of living.

In this episode of Maansik Meets, we dive into a complex and often unspoken topic: addiction in the Punjabi community — what drives it, how it is experienced by families, and what culturally-sensitive support could look like.Our special guest is Ravia Dhaliwal, community organizer, researcher, and advocate, whose work focuses on substance use, cultural barriers to care, and community-led approaches to support. Ravia’s research — rooted in her own lived experiences and academic work on Punjabi-Canadian alcohol use and addiction — sheds light on how cultural expectations, stigma, and inaccessible resources shape the way addiction is understood and treated. Together, we explore:How alcohol and opioids intersect with cultural norms and immigrant experiencesWhy many families struggle to recognize addiction as a health issueThe barriers Punjabi individuals face in finding meaningful helpThe role of mental health, gender expectations, and community stigma in substance useWays our communities can better support loved ones through education, empathy, and culturally grounded careWhether you’re personally affected, supporting someone you care about, or simply want to understand how culture and health interact in meaningful ways, this conversation offers insight, compassion, and a call to rethink how we talk about addiction.Tune in for a thoughtful, important discussion that bridges research, lived experience, and real possibilities for change.