Self-Realization and Other Awakenings

Yes, it is so hard to feel this loss, and I miss his
presence. But then I think, “Why would anyone want
to run from this feeling?” Buddha encountered
sickness and death, felt his own confusion of why this
was, felt the suffering of those who felt the losses,
and determined to understand what this was all about,
this suffering, death, and depression.
Finally after seven years of austerities, studying
with teachers, fasting and meditation he reached
enlightenment and became an arhat, a Mukti, one in
whom the Self had dried up and blown away, one who
no longer was attached to anything, one who felt a
slow-burning benevolence for all, but ultimately was
not touched by anything because he was not attached
to anything or any outcome. He no longer loved as a
parent or a lover, but as Robert said regarding the
Jnani, someone no longer touched by the world and its
“vissisitudes,” and thereby the “sting” was gone.
But is this it? Is this why we practice meditation,
self-inquiry and spirituality, to escape the “sting” of
death, either by feeling estranged from everyone, no
longer attached to anything or anyone? If this is the
only reason our spirituality is purely a sophisticated
form of ego defense against feeling emotional pain,
insecurity, loss and fear of death.
Is there anything else in spirituality beside escape?