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Given all the political changes and economic uncertainty of the last few weeks - culminating in this week’s cut in interest rates – it's possible that, like me, some people may be in the process of reassessing their personal finances. Any such reappraisal usually involves thinking about what is necessary, what are luxuries and how we might want to give back to the community, often through charitable donations. When it comes to charity, many of us, whatever the motivation, hold onto some idea that the more we give back to a community, the more we are likely to get in return. This is known, in philosophical terms, as the law of attraction.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna elaborates further on the science of giving and encourages people to monitor their motives. He describes three different types of influences on our activities: goodness, passion and ignorance. According to the text, all our activities, including how we eat, to how we work, fall into one of these three categories of goodness, passion and ignorance. And they affect the type of happiness we experience from our choices.

For example, it says that charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person is considered to be in the mode of goodness. Activities in the mode of goodness lead to inner happiness and peace that lasts beyond the satisfaction of altruism. However, Charity performed with the expectation of some return, for fame or recognition, or in a grudging mood is said to be charity in the mode of passion. Actions in the mode of passion increase hankering and greed and we feel dissatisfied no matter how much we have or how much we do. Finally, charity given at an improper time or place, to unworthy persons, or with contempt is said to be in the mode of ignorance. The mode of ignorance propagates confusion and creates the kind of momentary happiness that comes from selfishness.

The reality is that most of us are quite aware of who we are giving to and what will be done with our contribution. However, our kindness often takes the form of a monthly direct debit; which for me, can be very convenient, but it means that my giving might not always be in forefront of my mind, particularly when I am busy. And I might temporarily lose my conscious connection with the act of giving. I believe that being more conscious about what we give has a deeper impact on us as well as those we give to, as we are all connected. So as I look at my finances this month I hope that I will be able to go through them with, the fine tooth comb of my heart.

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