I read your post , Very beautiful point on setting people free and I have noticed that some connections do provide emotional nourishment that explains my attachment or addiction and I am working on weaning off but the process was scary initially.
Social duties are primarily those born out of social relationships as an accepted convention in a given society. They are not truth but they help trimming our egoism by teaching us to subordinate our personal likes and dislikes and demands to the need of others. When rightly done with an inner detachment to the outer fruits, without expectations, they quieten the noise of the desires and cravings in us, thus preparing us for higher things. But if indulged excessively or for their own sake, or for the egoism of being special or greater than others, then it can become a serious impediment to a still higher life. The egoism of being a good person is like the chains of gold that one is unable to break even though they are easy to do so. That is what we see in the teaching of the Gita, of the Buddha and all the wise ones. One has to discard, at some points the attachment to social duties, including national etc, however wonderful they are, to arrive at the still higher, wider and more comprehensive Truth.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
