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Osho on Relationship

Relationship

In the dance of relationships, true connection flourishes only when individuals blossom into their fullest selves, overflowing with love; it is in this sacred intimacy that freedom thrives, allowing hearts to meet without fear of possession.

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Osho's perspective on Relationship

When Osho Spoke About Relationship

Passages from the discourses where this theme comes alive.

From Death To Deathlessness · Discourse 38Question 1 1985-09-12 Rajneeshmandir English

Beloved Osho, is there any biological chance of an unconditioned, free and loving relationship between child and parent?

Give the child all your experiences. Make him aware that he was conceived in a very loving orgasmic moment, that love is a great gift of existence. And you have to make love the central point of your life, because only through love can you step beyond blind nature into the world of super-nature, where no blindness exists, where you become a seer. Yes, it is possible, but not possible through biology alone. It is possible if you are courageous enough to make your love your temple, your place of meditation. Then you will be attracting a soul already having the potential of uniqueness. And then give him every possibility for freedom, even if it goes against you. The freedom of your child is more valuable, because your child is the future of mankind. Your days are past. What does it matter if it goes against you? What have you…

Could we say that ramakrishna exploited vivekananda?

It could be said but it should not be said, because the word conveys an idea of condemnation behind it. He did not exploit him to gain something selfish for himself; his idea was that through Vivekananda others will be benefited. He exploited him only in the sense that he made use of him. There is a great difference between exploitation and utilization. When I am dealing with something or using something for the sake of my ego, then it becomes exploitation. But when I am doing something for the world, for the universe, for everybody, there is no question of exploitation. Besides, where is the certainty that if Ramakrishna had not shown him the glimpse, Vivekananda would have got it in this life by himself? This point can be decided only by those who are enlightened. I feel that would have been the case, but we cannot show any…

Osho, can it be said that Ramakrishna exploited Vivekananda?

There is no difficulty in saying it. But the word itself is not merely a pointer; it carries condemnation within it. Therefore it should not be said. In the word “exploitation” there is denunciation, a deep condemnation. He did not exploit him—because Ramakrishna had nothing to take from Vivekananda. But there was the idea that through Vivekananda something could reach others. In that sense, yes, he used him—he certainly used him. But there is a great difference between use and exploitation. “Exploitation” is where I, ego-centered, am pulling something toward my own ego and using it; there it becomes exploitation. But where I am doing something for the world, for the whole, for all, there is no reason to call it exploitation. And you also haven’t considered that if Ramakrishna had not shown that glimpse, it is not at all certain that Vivekananda would still have attained it. That it…

Beloved Osho, I am familiar with the master-disciple relationship after years of being around you. Could you please comment on the disciple-disciple relationship?

There is no such thing. Disciples in the past have created organizations. That was their relationship, that "we are Christians," that "we are Mohammedans," that "we belong to one religion, to one faith and because we belong to one faith, we are brothers and sisters. We will live for the faith and we will die for the faith." All organizations have arisen out of the relationships between disciples. In fact, two disciples are not connected with each other at all. Each disciple is connected with the master in his individual capacity. A master can be connected with millions of disciples, but the connection is personal, not organizational. Disciples don't have any relationship. Yes, they have a certain friendliness, a certain lovingness. I am avoiding the word `relationship' because that is binding. I am not calling it friendship even, but `friendliness' -- because they are all fellow travelers walking on the…

"Ramakrishna did not exploit Vivekananda; he transformed him into a vessel of compassion, guiding his unfolding for the benefit of all."

He didn’t take advantage of Vivekananda; he helped him rise and shared his light through him for everyone’s benefit.
AI Confidence Score: 95% Read Original Discourse →

"True togetherness blossoms only when you have mastered the art of being alone, for in joyous aloneness, love becomes a sharing rather than a dependency."

Be happy and whole by yourself first; then you can be with someone without needing them to fill your emptiness.
AI Confidence Score: 97% Read Original Discourse →

"Only through deep meditation can parents transcend their conditioning, transforming biology into a stepping-stone for a truly free and loving relationship with their child."

No—biology alone can’t create such freedom; it becomes possible when parents are meditative, conceiving and loving from a quiet, egoless heart.
AI Confidence Score: 96% Read Original Discourse →

"Let your partner sleep; even in slumber, the soul can absorb the essence of truth. Remember, sleep is a spiritual activity, a healing in itself."

Be gentle and let him nap—it’s okay, he might still be hearing inside; just avoid snoring or move seats if needed.
AI Confidence Score: 96% Read Original Discourse →

"When you stop making yourself the goal and recognize the Whole as the only center, you become a hollow reed through which existence plays, dissolving into harmony without anything to attain."

Let the Whole be the purpose and be the flute the Divine plays, not the player.
AI Confidence Score: 90% Read Original Discourse →

"When you focus on the other in relationships, you turn love into a battlefield, projecting your own unfulfilled desires and conditioning onto them; true freedom emerges only when you see the other as yourself, dissolving separation into love and friendship."

If you keep looking at and trying to control the other, you end up fighting your own shadow; drop labels and control, be simple friends, and love can breathe.
AI Confidence Score: 88% Read Original Discourse →

"In true intimacy, we embrace the paradox of being both strangers and friends, celebrating the mystery of the other while allowing them the freedom to remain unknowable."

Loving someone means staying close while accepting you can never fully know or control them.
AI Confidence Score: 95% Read Original Discourse →

"The disciple-to-disciple relationship is an illusion; true connection flows only through the master, allowing each seeker to remain a free spirit on their unique path to truth."

Disciples aren’t meant to bond as a group; they just share gentle friendliness while each stays directly connected to the master.
AI Confidence Score: 97% Read Original Discourse →

"The master-disciple relationship is not a relationship at all; it is a living communion that flourishes in openness and risk, free from the constraints of roles and promises."

It’s not a fixed title or contract; it’s a living breeze you can feel with an open hand, not by grabbing it.
AI Confidence Score: 78% Read Original Discourse →

"Your relationship with me is not one of friendship but of a disciple to a master; seek your own transformation, for that is the essence of our connection."

He isn’t your buddy; he’s a teacher, and you’re there to learn and grow—not to pry into his private life.
AI Confidence Score: 94% Read Original Discourse →

"Love is not a bond that chains; it is a celebration of two free souls, where separation honors individuality and deepens connection."

Real love lets each person stay their own self; you can be close and still free.
AI Confidence Score: 62% Read Original Discourse →

"True commitment in a relationship is not a binding contract but a living, renewing yes that springs from inner freedom and authenticity."

Don’t promise from fear or habit; choose each other freely, freshly, because it feels true inside.
AI Confidence Score: 32% Read Original Discourse →

"Harmony in relationships arises when we embrace both the highs and lows of life, flowing like waves in the ocean, rooted in silent acceptance and the beauty of interdependence."

Accept the ups and downs, drop the me-versus-you idea, and relate as parts of one ocean so love can flow easily.
AI Confidence Score: 84% Read Original Discourse →

"A long and tumultuous relationship with a master is not about finding answers, but about the presence that plants a seed in your heart, allowing you to blossom into gratitude over time."

Sticking with a teacher through ups and downs lets their love enter your heart, grow slowly, and quietly change you from inside.
AI Confidence Score: 78% Read Original Discourse →

"Real love flourishes in the acceptance of our existential aloneness, meeting as free strangers rather than entangled in the illusions of proximity."

When you’re far, you love your picture of them; up close, the real, unknown person shows—so let go of the story and meet them honestly.
AI Confidence Score: 96% Read Original Discourse →

"True relating can only blossom between fulfilled beings who overflow with love; intimacy thrives in freedom, not possession."

It’s hard to relate because we feel empty and scared; become full of love inside (a flower), and sharing with others becomes easy and free.
AI Confidence Score: 98% Read Original Discourse →

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