It’s a difficult feeling when people view you as being transient and replaceable. Indoctrination in our societal structure seems to be coupled with this instinctual urge to be desired, to be favored, to be liked and loved.
We want to empower others but it’s painful when the that empowerment leads to you having to step back and remove yourself from a place you felt valued and appreciated at one point. It’s another of life’s many ironies. We want to see others great but when their greatness exceeds their need for our assistance or guidance we are terrified. It’s a strike to our ego. At that point we need to decide which feelings our more important to us, their success or our desire to be needed.
I find that desire to be needed so egotistically driven. Human has the need to center itself in everything. Hence why we thought earth was the center of the universe for so long and killed defending that thought. Watching a movie I once heard a monk character say “our comfort is never more important than the comfort of another living creature, our life is never more important than the life of another living creature. How self centered would that be to think otherwise?”
I have learned that true love comes with the ability to let go. Even if the person you love resents you for it. If you know in your heart that the person is better off without your presence or if there is no longer space for you in that person’s life you must let go of you truly love them. You have done your part in empowering them to no longer need you. Now you must find the next steps in your path. Walking away brings you closer to the true love you feel for that person. It brings you closer to ridding yourself of ego. It brings you closer to enlightenment.