A Non-Traditional Approach to Life and Death: Rainer Langhans at 85
Interview with Rainer Langhans at 85: "I'm already content." - Rainer Langhans comments on his 85th birthday: "I'm content with my life as it is"
Legendary rebel Rainer Langhans cycles, plays table tennis, and meditates. Despite battling prostate cancer for years, he remarkably sees it as an opportunity to intensify his practice of trying to die every day. Come June 19, he turns 85.
Rumors swirled in March about Langhans's third-time-around alleged deathbed. The iconic 68er refuted these rumors, stating he's been "practicing dying" due to his inner journey, feeling "very good."
Unorthodox health viewpoints
Langhans's approach to his illness appears unusual. Excited rather than shocked about his cancer diagnosis, he perceives it as a chance to deepen his meditation practice. His aim is to help others embrace their illness, as he asserts that life has improved for him since the diagnosis.
The former communard lives in Munich's Schwabing district, cohabiting with three women in a communal setting occasionally referred to as a "harem." The women — Christa Ritter, Gisela Getty, and Brigitte Streubel — live independently but unite spiritually. They are not overly concerned about Langhans and support each other through their shared path.
Roots in Rebellion
In the 1960s, Langhans co-founded the legendary Commune 1, challenging the bourgeoisie with their radical lifestyle. Known for their protests against the Nazi generation, the Shah, and the Vietnam War, their actions garnered widespread attention. Even attempts to assassinate US Vice President Hubert Humphrey with a pudding made headlines.
According to Langhans, the slogan "Make love, not war" was more about spiritual connection than just physical sex. Uschi Obermaier, whom he was romantically involved with, gained fame through their relationship. Their parting was due to differing views on sexuality.
In 2018, Langhans won a symbolic art prize of 1,968 euros for a gold-plated pubic hair.
Living the Rebel's Dream
Even in his later years, Langhans, a Grimme Award winner, book author, actor, and filmmaker, maintains his rebellious lifestyle: vegetarian diet, walking, cycling, table tennis, and meditation, which he calls "species-appropriate living." His preference for white attire embodies all colors.
Nicknamed "Apo-Opa" (grandpa of the '68 generation), Langhans has appeared on reality TV shows and spoken out about data transparency.
In 2011, he participated in the RTL Jungle Camp, aiming for a commune-like experience. He used the money he earned to engage in commune-like activities.
A Stranger in This World
At times, Langhans might feel out of place with his unique views. Sometimes misunderstood, or perhaps just not of this world—Langhans's life's theme doubles as his trademark.
Born as the first of four children in Oschersleben near Magdeburg, Langhans felt he didn't belong. His parents sent him to a strict religious boarding school, following which he led a completely different direction: he became a conscript soldier, subsequently enabling him to pursue education. He went on to study law then psychology in Berlin, although he never completed either degree.
Embracing the Corona Challenge
In the Argument Club and the Socialist German Student Union (SDS), he found like-minded individuals. Through the extra-parliamentary opposition (APO), the Kommune 1 emerged. Their motto was: "The personal is political." Recently, Langhans advocated for the liberal sharing of personal data online, reasoning that he voluntarily gives his data in exchange for money. He saw the Corona crisis as an opportunity for introspection and a "meditation unit" for society, reflecting his own illness experience.
Transforming into a Human
Currently, Langhans has no symptoms, he states. Declining surgery or chemotherapy, he is receiving a therapy that palliatively reduces his testosterone to zero, effectively rendering him "chemically castrated." He emphasizes this transitional phase, likening himself to "now a human, instead of just a man." This he views as an opportunity to rise above "all the lowlands of libido."
Free from conventional wishes, the women are planning a birthday with deep conversations instead of the usual coffee and cake. Langhans expresses his contentment, stating, "I'm already happy—I don't wish for anything."
- Rainer Langhans's unconventional health viewpoints are evident in his response to his prostate cancer diagnosis, viewing it as an opportunity to deepen his meditation practice and improve his life.
- Despite the misconceptions and rumors surrounding Langhans's health, he maintains a positive outlook and continues to embrace his lifestyle, adhering to a vegetarian diet, regular exercise, and meditation as part of what he calls "species-appropriate living."
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and mental-health, Langhans's approach stands apart, as he sees his illness not as a reason to be alarmed, but rather as a chance for personal growth and enlightenment.
- In the entertainment sphere, celebrities often discuss their health battles and transformations, but Langhans's approach, rooted in rebellion and a desire for self-improvement, sets him apart in the discussion about aging and men's health.
- As Langhans prepares to celebrate his 85th birthday, he continues to defy expectations and embrace an unorthodox lifestyle, demonstrating that community policy and personal philosophy can intersect in unexpected ways.
