By Kalakantha Das
Why do many rich people end up giving their money to charity? Because they find that just piling up money and stuff gets old. Deeper, lasting happiness only comes from pleasing others. People who never learn this seem sad and pathetic. For a sustainably happy life, the Gita advises sacrifice for others at every stage of life, culminating in sacrifice for the Supreme. Though we belong with God, because we have become separated from Him we live in an uncongenial place where everyone identifies with their doomed material body. It is our choice, not God’s, to separate from Him. A finger separated from the body cannot enjoy anything, yet when connected it experiences the joy of the whole. God wants the best for us, but if we choose something inferior, He patiently waits for us to get over it. .