Osho: “A mature person has enough integrity to be alone”

The teachings of Osho are a chaotic mosaic composed of elements of Buddhism, yoga, Taoism, Sikhism, Greek philosophy, Sufism, European psychology, Tibetan traditions, Christianity, Hasidism, Zen, Tantrism and other spiritual currents, passed through the system of their own views. He said, “I don’t have a system.” Systems can only be dead. Truth is beyond concrete forms, attitudes, verbal formulations, practices, logic, and its comprehension is carried out chaotically, not systematically.
And that is the value of his advice. They help to develop their own worldview, outside of any other teaching. And your own experience and conclusions obtained through yourself are the most valuable currency.

An excerpt from Maturity. The responsibility to be yourself”:


“A mature person is whole enough to be alone. And when a mature person gives love, he gives it without any secret threads attached to it - he simply gives.

The problem with love is to become mature first. Then you will find a mature partner; then immature people will not attract you at all. That's what happens.

If you're twenty-five, you don't fall in love with a two-month-old baby. Similarly, if you are a mature person psychologically, spiritually, you will not fall in love with a child. That doesn't happen. It can't be, you see it's pointless.

When a mature person gives love, he feels grateful that you have accepted it, not vice versa. He doesn't expect you to be grateful for it - no, not at all, he doesn't even need your gratitude. He thanks you for accepting his love.

And when two mature people love each other, one of the greatest paradoxes of life, one of the most beautiful things, happens: they are together, but at the same time immensely alone.

They are together to such an extent that they are almost one whole, but their unity does not destroy individuality - in fact, it increases it, they become more individual.

Two mature people in love help each other become freer. There is no politics, no diplomacy, no attempt to subjugate another. How can you try to subdue the person you love? Just think about it – submission is a kind of hatred, anger, hostility. How can you even think about subjugating the person you love?

You would like to see this man completely free, independent; you would like to give him more individuality. That is why I call it the great paradox: they are together so much that they almost merge into one, yet in this unity remain individuals.

Their personalities don’t mix; they get stronger. The other enriches freedom.”

Source: “Osho: Maturity. Responsibility to be yourself”