Celebrating Rainer Langhans' 85th Birthday: "I'm Already Content"
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At 85, Rainer Langhans Expresses Contentment: "I'm Already Content" - Langhans on his 85th Birthday: "I'm content with life as it stands"
Rainer Langhans, the iconic 68er, keeps on rolling. At 85, this prostate cancer survivor pedals, plays table tennis, and meditates. Despite his serious health diagnosis, Langhans views death as a familiar friend, remarking, "I practice dying, you could say." His birthday falls on June 19.
Rumors circled in March about Langhans' impending demise. But the free-spirited Langhans set the record straight, explaining that he's been contemplating death for years due to his personal journey. "It makes me feel very good," he shared.
A Groundbreaking Approach to Life and Death
Langhans' outlook on cancer may seem unconventional. He stated he felt more excitement than shock upon diagnosis. "Meditation is about trying to die every day," he explained. His cancer diagnosis, he added, has given him the perfect chance to focus on this lifelong practice.
The former communard encourages others to embrace their illnesses. Life has significantly improved for him since his diagnosis.
An Unconventional Relationship Structure
Langhans resides in Schwabing, Munich, with three women in what is sometimes referred to as a "harem," albeit not living in the same apartment. "It's like a commune, but spiritually, not physically," Langhans clarified.
The three women, whom Langhans calls "the ladies," aren’t concerned about his condition. They support each other on this immense journey. "Only by viewing your life positively can you learn to die," Christa Ritter asserted. She, Gisela Getty, and Brigitte Streubel all live in separate apartments within the same Schwabing house.
The Rebel Roots of Commune 1
In the swinging '60s, Langhans co-founded the legendary Commune 1. The commune's members posed a threat to the establishment with their radically alternative lifestyle. They went against the grain, protesting against the Nazi generation, the Shah, and the Vietnam War. Their actions, from arson to the infamous pudding attack on US Vice President Hubert Humphrey, made headlines.
Langhans’ connection with the fashion model Uschi Obermaier catapulted him into fame. However, their relationship eventually ended due to conflicting views on sexuality.
The slogan "Make love, not war" was often associated with the commune, but Langhans emphasized it was about spiritual connection, "spiritual sex," and "true free love" that transcended physical intimacy.
An Old Rebel's Persistence
Despite his advanced years, Langhans remains steadfast in his rebellious spirit. He follows a vegetarian diet, engages in daily exercises, plays table tennis, and meditates. He attributes this lifestyle to "living appropriately." Langhans also dresses in white and aims to avoid wealth by eschewing material possessions.
Langhans has engaged in various projects, from the jungle camp to data transparency.
A Stint in RTL's "Jungle Camp"
In 2011, Langhans briefly dipped his toes back into the spotlight by participating in RTL's "Jungle Camp." The experience netted him a substantial amount of money, which he mostly spent. He sought the experience to simulate a communal living experiment of sorts.
A Stranger in This World
Langhans' unconventional approach to life and his unique worldview have frequently left him misunderstood. Feeling like an outsider from his childhood days, his life's theme can be seen as a testament to this feeling.
Born in Oschersleben near Magdeburg, Langhans felt underwhelmed and was sent to a strict religious boarding school. His military service granted him the opportunity to study in Berlin, first law and then psychology, but he never graduated.
In the "Argument Club" and the Socialist German Student Union (SDS), Langhans found like-minded allies. From the extra-parliamentary opposition (APO), the Kommune 1 emerged.
Covid-19 as a "Meditation Unit" for Society
Langhans recently advocated for the free sharing of personal data online. "I give my data voluntarily and get euros in return," he stated at his 80th birthday. He saw the Covid-19 crisis as an opportunity for introspection and a "meditation unit" for society as a whole - reminiscent of his internal journey with death and illness.
A Human Among Men
Langhans currently has no symptoms, he claims. He opted against surgery or chemotherapy, instead opting for a therapy that reduces his testosterone to zero. "I'm chemically castrated," he admitted. "So, I'm not a man anymore, if you will. I'm now a human instead."
For his 85th birthday, the ladies have organized a celebration, promising intimate conversations instead of traditional birthday festivities. Langhans himself remains content, stating, "I'm already happy - I don't wish for anything."
- Rainer Langhans
- Women
- Commune
- Table Tennis
- Christa Ritter
- Relationship
- Schwabing
- Munich
- Jungle Camp
- Rainer Langhans, the 68er icon, resides in Schwabing, Munich, with three women, similar to a "harem," although they do not share the same physical space.
- Langhans has an unconventional outlook towards illness, expressing more excitement than shock upon his cancer diagnosis, viewing it as an opportunity to focus on meditation.
- The former communard encourages others to embrace their health struggles, stating that his diagnosis has significantly improved his life.
- After ending his relationship with Uschi Obermaier due to conflicting views on sexuality, Langhans now lives with three women, referred to as "the ladies," who all live in separate apartments in the same Schwabing house.
- Despite his cancer diagnosis, Langhans engages in daily activities, including playing table tennis, meditating, and following a vegetarian diet, which he attributes to "living appropriately."
- In 2011, Langhans participated in RTL's "Jungle Camp," a brief return to the spotlight, to simulate a communal living experiment.
- Langhans has advocated for the free sharing of personal data online, viewing the Covid-19 crisis as an opportunity for introspection and a "meditation unit" for society as a whole.
