Acharya Prashant addresses a question regarding an Osho quote: "You help the other be alone so that you do not remain a need for the other." He explains that this statement is made in the context of a relationship. When two lonely people are in a relationship, they are essentially there to fulfill their own self-interest. A lonely person has nothing but himself in his world; the world exists for his sake, so that he might be fulfilled. For the lonely person, he himself is paramount, and his needs are great. The speaker clarifies that the needs of a lonely person are great because he is missing the Absolute. Therefore, his need is for the Absolute. Since the need is for the Absolute, which is infinite, nothing finite can fulfill it. If one is missing a little, then a little can fulfill them. But if one is missing the Absolute, what hope is there? When two lonely people are in a relationship, both are missing the Absolute and are trying to find it in each other. This is a futile exercise because if the other person had the Absolute, they would not have entered into a relationship with you in the first place. It's like two blind people looking to each other for light and direction, a situation that only leads to disappointment. Despite being repeatedly disappointed, man is a stubborn creature who continues to seek fulfillment in the same way. The Absolute manifests itself as absolute foolishness in one who does not have the Absolute. The only way to redeem such a relationship is to help the other. This is not about abandoning the relationship for personal freedom, as personal freedom is just a part of loneliness. Instead, one must help the other grow. This is the holiest form of selfishness because in helping the other, you help yourself. Individual enlightenment is a myth; we are all on the same boat and must either cross together or sink together. To help yourself, you must help the other. This help is not about superficial acts but about fostering genuine growth, which is the greatest pleasure, far surpassing any pleasure the ego knows.
