--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The capacity to be alone is the capacity…" description: "\"“The capacity to be alone is the capacity to love. It may look paradoxical to you, but it's not. It is an existential truth: only those people who are ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72c/osho-519_absolute-freedom_the-capacity-to-be-alone-is-the-capacity_359044.jpg" --- # The capacity to be alone is the capacity to love. It may… ![“The capacity to be alone is the capacity to love. It may look paradoxical to you, but it's not. It is an existential truth: only those people who are capable of being alone are capable of love, of sharing, of going into the deepest core of another person--without possessing the other, without…” quote by Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72c/osho-519_absolute-freedom_the-capacity-to-be-alone-is-the-capacity_359044.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72c/osho-519_absolute-freedom_the-capacity-to-be-alone-is-the-capacity_359044.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/72c/osho-519_absolute-freedom_the-capacity-to-be-alone-is-the-capacity_359044.jpg) > ““The capacity to be alone is the capacity to love. It may look paradoxical to you, but it's not. It is an existential truth: only those people who are capable of being alone are capable of love, of sharing, of going into the deepest core of another person--without possessing the other, without becoming dependent on the other, without reducing the other to a thing, and without becoming addicted to the other. They allow the other absolute freedom, because they know that if the other leaves, they will be as happy as they are now. Their happiness cannot be taken by the other, because it is not given by the other.”” [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True love stems from self-sufficiency; being comfortable alone enables unconditional love. **In simple terms:** Being alone lets you love freely without dependence. Key Takeaway Cultivate self‑reliance before seeking partnership. Themes self‑love independence relationships Mood reflective hopeful calm Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal therapy - mindfulness practice - relationship counseling - solo travel - creative work Key Concepts existentialism attachment theory psychology Questions to Reflect On - Can you love without fearing loss? - How does independence affect intimacy? A Different Perspective Alone time can be lonely; balance is needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absolute freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absolute-freedom/) [Capable Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capable-love/) [Capacity Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity-love/) [Capacity to love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capacity-to-love/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love Sharing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-sharing/) [Possessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possessing/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [The capacity to be alone is the capacity to love. It may look paradoxical to you, but it is not. It is an existential…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/the-capacity-to-be-alone-is-the-capacity-to-love-it-may-look-2/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [“Remember, if you cannot live with yourself, you cannot live with anyone else. The capacity to be alone is the capacity to love. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/remember-if-you-cannot-live-with-yourself-you-cannot-live-with-anyone/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [The capacity to be alone is the capacity to love. It may look paradoxical to you, but it's not. It is an existential truth:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/the-capacity-to-be-alone-is-the-capacity-to-love-it-may-look-3/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“Our capacity to love others is very connected on how we value and love ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggy-san-jose-baas/our-capacity-to-love-others-is-very-connected-on-how-we-value-and/) [Maggy San Jose-Baas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggy-san-jose-baas/) > [“It is very important that we have the capacity to love many different things or people at the same time. Our love should radiate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-toney-horton/it-is-very-important-that-we-have-the-capacity-to-love-many-different/) [Peggy Toney Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-toney-horton/) > [I'd known that I had the capacity to love, that I enjoyed seeing other people be happy, that I had a real awe and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-brach/i-d-known-that-i-had-the-capacity-to-love-that-i-enjoyed-seeing-other/) [Tara Brach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-brach/) > [The greater your capacity to love, the greater your capacity to feel the pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-greater-your-capacity-to-love-the-greater-your-capacity-to-feel/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“please don't carry my love for you with you forever. but don't let that be all. our capacity to love is vast - all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-noble/please-don-t-carry-my-love-for-you-with-you-forever-but-don-t-let/) [Elizabeth Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-noble/) > [My children inspire me with their innocence and enormous capacity to love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-canals-barrera/my-children-inspire-me-with-their-innocence-and-enormous-capacity-to/) [Maria Canals Barrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-canals-barrera/) > [The more people one has to love, the more one's capacity to love stretches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/the-more-people-one-has-to-love-the-more-one-s-capacity-to-love/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [Most people see the problem of love as that of being loved, rather than that of loving, of one's capacity to love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/most-people-see-the-problem-of-love-as-that-of-being-loved-rather/) [Pacifiersucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pacifiersucker/) > [Only a deep attention to the whole of our life can bring us the capacity to love well and live freely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/only-a-deep-attention-to-the-whole-of-our-life-can-bring-us-the/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [“How can there be love without a true choice? Would you suggest that man be stripped of the capacity to love?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-dekker/how-can-there-be-love-without-a-true-choice-would-you-suggest-that/) [Ted Dekker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-dekker/) > [...there was some kind of connection between the capacity to love and the capacity to love \*running\*. The engineering was certainly the same: both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-mcdougall/there-was-some-kind-of-connection-between-the-capacity-to-love-and/) [Christopher McDougall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-mcdougall/) > [We receive love — from our children as well as others — not in proportion to our demands or sacrifices or needs, but roughly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/we-receive-love-from-our-children-as-well-as-others-not-in-proportion/) [Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/) ## More by Osho > [“That which is of great value cannot be attained through aggression. You will be able to find the mystery of life only if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/that-which-is-of-great-value-cannot-be-attained-through-aggression/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“If you love a person, you project things which are not there. If you hate a person, again you project things which are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/if-you-love-a-person-you-project-things-which-are-not-there-if-you/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“The first step in awareness is to be watchful of your body. Slowly,slowly one becomes alert about each gesture,each movement. And as you become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/the-first-step-in-awareness-is-to-be-watchful-of-your-body-slowly/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“Whenever one starts meditating, the mind becomes rebellious. It starts all types of arguments: “What are you doing, why are you wasting time? Use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/whenever-one-starts-meditating-the-mind-becomes-rebellious-it-starts/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“Whatever has been said about you by others, simply drop it. It is absolutely crap. They don’t know about themselves; what can they say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/whatever-has-been-said-about-you-by-others-simply-drop-it-it-is/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“They happen only when you are distant,aloof. They happen, they cannot be brought. They happen you cannot force them to happen. They are spontaneous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/they-happen-only-when-you-are-distant-aloof-they-happen-they-cannot/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“The ego is possible only in conflict, struggle. If you have nothing to fight about, you will create some way or other to fight.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/the-ego-is-possible-only-in-conflict-struggle-if-you-have-nothing-to/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [Politics is mundane; politicians are servants of the people. Religion is sacred; it guides peoples spiritual growth. Politics is the lowest as far as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/politics-is-mundane-politicians-are-servants-of-the-people-religion/) [OSHO](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“There is a great need to be needed. Remember, you feel good whenever you are needed. Sometimes, even if it brings misery to you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/there-is-a-great-need-to-be-needed-remember-you-feel-good-whenever/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“All possible resources have to be used, so that you can learn to use your anger in such a way that it becomes compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/all-possible-resources-have-to-be-used-so-that-you-can-learn-to-use/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“The three religions born outside India don’t have any name for it because they never went far in search of oneself. They remained childish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/the-three-religions-born-outside-india-don-t-have-any-name-for-it/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“Shiva is saying: the body is a product of nature and your will to do. The nature is merely the source, the womb. Your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/shiva-is-saying-the-body-is-a-product-of-nature-and-your-will-to-do/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“No, life is meant to be a celebration; celebration is its central note. If someone asks you, better ask this question of yourself: ”Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/no-life-is-meant-to-be-a-celebration-celebration-is-its-central-note/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“Imagination is a great force. On the path of meditation, imagination is a barrier; on the path of love, imagination is a help. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/imagination-is-a-great-force-on-the-path-of-meditation-imagination-is/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [Yoga means that now there is no hope, now there is no future, now there are no desires. One is ready to know what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/yoga-means-that-now-there-is-no-hope-now-there-is-no-future-now-there/) [OSHO](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) [Explore all 479 Osho quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) ## More Absolute freedom quotes > [“My holy of holies are the human body, health, intelligence, talent, inspiration, love, and the most absolute freedom - freedom from force and falsity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/my-holy-of-holies-are-the-human-body-health-intelligence-talent/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) > [The Marvel experience was particularly wrenching because I was sort of given absolute freedom while we were shooting, and then in post, it turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-taylor/the-marvel-experience-was-particularly-wrenching-because-i-was-sort/) [Alan Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-taylor/) > [“An attempt to wrest from God the prerogatives of absolute freedom and infinity leads to the inversion of Pentecost and what is in effect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-e-gunton/an-attempt-to-wrest-from-god-the-prerogatives-of-absolute-freedom-and/) [Colin E. Gunton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-e-gunton/) > [What is freedom? There is no such thing as absolute freedom!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benito-mussolini/what-is-freedom-there-is-no-such-thing-as-absolute-freedom/) [Benito Mussolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benito-mussolini/) > [Art lives where absolute freedom is, because where it is not, there can be no creativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/art-lives-where-absolute-freedom-is-because-where-it-is-not-there-can/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [“After those four years, he returned to the Midwest. 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Man may achieve liberty and abundance, freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murray-rothbard/absolute-freedom-need-not-be-lost-as-the-price-we-must-pay-for-the-2/) [Murray Rothbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murray-rothbard/) > [Once you have surrendered completely to God, you experience for the first time absolute freedom from the worries, problems and ills of this world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashok-kushwaha/once-you-have-surrendered-completely-to-god-you-experience-for-the/) [Ashok Kushwaha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashok-kushwaha/) > [“It is ironical that, in the very field in which Science has claimed superiority to Theology, for example - in the abandoning of dogma…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-dingle/it-is-ironical-that-in-the-very-field-in-which-science-has-claimed/) [Herbert Dingle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-dingle/) > [“It was easy enough to write a sentence, but if you were going to create a work of art, the way Melville had, each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-harbach/it-was-easy-enough-to-write-a-sentence-but-if-you-were-going-to/) [Chad Harbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-harbach/) > [... the absolute freedom of woman will be the dawn of the day of man's regeneration. In raising her he will elevate himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tennessee-celeste-claflin/the-absolute-freedom-of-woman-will-be-the-dawn-of-the-day-of-man-s/) [Tennessee Celeste Claflin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tennessee-celeste-claflin/) > [I wish to speak a word for Nature, for absolute Freedom and Wildness, as contrasted with a Freedom and Culture merely civil, - to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-wish-to-speak-a-word-for-nature-for-absolute-freedom-and-wildness/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [My holy of holies is the human body, health, intelligence, talent, inspiration, love, and absolute freedom--freedom from violence and falsehood, no matter how the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/my-holy-of-holies-is-the-human-body-health-intelligence-talent/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) [Browse all 105 Absolute freedom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absolute-freedom/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The capacity to be alone is the capacity to love. 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