Rainer Langhans Reflects on Life After Death Amid Cancer Battle

Thu 20th Mar, 2025

Rainer Langhans, a prominent figure from the 1968 student movement, has recently shared his reflections on life after death while battling cancer. The 84-year-old has been open about his diagnosis of prostate cancer, and he now discusses how he is coping with his illness and preparing for the end of life.

Langhans describes his belief in an existence beyond death, suggesting that it is characterized by harmony and a profound connection to everything around us. He envisions a peaceful realm where time ceases to exist and love prevails. This perspective, he notes, is not merely a belief but rather a personal experience he has encountered through meditation and during the social upheaval of the 1960s.

As he navigates his current health challenges, Langhans expresses that he perceives himself to be in a transformative process of dying, although neither he nor his doctors can predict its duration. He emphasizes the importance of discussing death openly to inspire others to accept their illnesses. Langhans maintains a healthy lifestyle, including a vegetarian diet, regular walks, and cycling.

Interestingly, Langhans shares that his quality of life has improved since his diagnosis. He feels a renewed sense of vigor, asserting that his long-standing contemplation of death has led him to embrace the idea of dying more fully. He refers to this engagement as a practice of 'dying' in itself.

In his personal life, Langhans resides in a communal setting with three women, each having their own living spaces situated close to one another in Munich's Schwabing district. This arrangement reflects his unconventional lifestyle, characteristic of the 68er movement he is associated with.


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