Giving to the best of our capacity, whatever is required in each situation, then not worrying about what happens next, as a result of that action. This timeless teaching from the Bhagavad Gita, inspires us to be free, from the bondage created by what we do- this is cutting loose the kite of our actions!

It is suggested, that attachment to the fruits of our actions, is what eventually gives rise to suffering. To avoid this, we should not reject the action by itself, instead, do whatever is needed- but without a personal investment in it.

This teaching emphasises that we must continue to act, as and when required, to the best of our abilities- but with an attitude of not expecting anything more out of it, in return.

The actions should be performed just for their own sake, not with an expectation for a specific personal outcome. This is a teaching of detached action, where we do not project our personal attachment or aversion, on the way things are.

With this attitude, we see ourselves as mere participants in the flow of events, rather than the driving force. We see life as a sequence of various causes, leading to incidents and situations- where we are required to act, utilizing all of our relevant capabilities.

We are encouraged, to actively and sincerely perform the roles presented to us, with integrity. We do not avoid acting, or even compromise, on offering the best that we can, to whatever the occasion demands from us.

But, we do not expect anything else from this. Once we have done our part, we leave it to whatever happens!

Using a kite as a metaphor, for any action performed- suppose the right action as determined by the need of this moment is- that we have to fly a kite up in the sky- then that is what we must do. Our action is to fly the kite. We do that, as skillfully as we can, we raise it up in the sky, until it’s riding the breeze.

Then, we cut it loose, letting it go. Anything beyond that, is not our concern. We drop it at that. The kite is gone and done! The rest is not up to us, we trust the wind to take it, wherever it needs to go next!

If that flying kite represents our ‘right action’ in a given situation- we always do it to the best of our abilities. Then, we cut the thread.

This ‘cutting loose the kite’, represents a symbolic severing of our attachment, breaking our connection, our personal investment- projected on the actions performed.

Our usual tendency is to carry on thinking, obsessing about things that we have done, long after they are not in our hands.

This teaching inspires us, to do as well as we can- whatever is required or needed from us, in every situation. Then, we must release it, to whatever path it takes next- mentally detaching from it, without any desire, hope, dread, fear or personal expectation.

This attitude instantly helps us to become free, from the psychological burden of our ‘right action’- whether it turns out to be good or bad. Here, the ‘right action’ means, whatever was demanded by the necessity of a situation, performed to our best abilities, with full awareness of all known aspects of that situation.

Each situation comes with its own unique requirements. Acting from awareness, gives us the necessary wisdom, to act in the ‘right’ manner for each moment.

Every act of ‘doing’, by the ‘doer’, if performed without an attitude of attached ‘doership’, results in freedom!

We can become attached to the outcome of ‘surrendering the doership’ itself. It could creep in stealthily, as a new attachment, in the guise of ‘trying to detach’!

So, when we surrender our attachment to any action, at that same time- we also need to let go of this ‘doer’, who surrenders- giving up the ‘doer’ and its shadow!

This is like cutting loose the kite- then dropping the spool.

We need to be very careful, watchful and aware. By remaining alert, we see this attitude of subtle attachment, as soon as it arises. When noticed in the moment, we can consciously release it.

Once an action is performed according to the need of a situation, our role ends. We did the best we could do! Rest is not in our hands. The outcome then, is accepted- with a spirit of absolute surrender to whatever happens.

Once we have cut loose the kite, we leave it to wherever the wind takes it. We are letting go our involvement with it. We are the witness of it floating away- having no say, regrets or delight in its course. We are free from it!