Reinhard Gammenthaler

Who am I, and why do I exist? Motivated by these two fundamental questions, the author decided at a young age to leave the bourgeois society and set out to explore the world in search of happiness. But roaming around the globe did not produce the desired insights and he became aware that such high goals must be realized inside of himself. He became a spiritual seeker and tested various methods which promised enlightenment as well as peace of mind. But none of these religions or different systems of mental training could provide any clues or profound effects for him; they were far too concerned with abstract spiritual concepts, without including the body in a positive way. He saw clearly that all of the good and bad experiences in his life ? which had led him into a deep crisis in 1979 ? had always had a psychophysical connection. He understood that integral health must include all levels of our consciousness, and that freedom cannot be attained by excluding the physical level from it. Most of the philosophic and religious systems declare the body to be an obstacle, something to be shed or even destroyed in order to achieve freedom ? a view that he could not share.  In Hatha-Yoga he found another, more comprehensive approach to the depths of the human being, and beginning to practice brought quick and lasting positive results. He became an ardent devotee and had the rare privilege to attract the attention of Swami Dhirendra Brahmachari, a master Yogi of great caliber. He became the Swami’s last disciple and was initiated into the mysteries of original Yoga, as handed down since the dawn of mankind from Lord Shiva to suitable practitioners. Hatha-Yoga became his life. He spent long periods in the remote foothills of the Himalayas in Jammu?&?Kashmir, where he began to polish the raw diamond of his personality.  Eventually he returned to Switzerland. At the beginning of the new millenium he started teaching and displaying the knowledge that he received from his Guru to other seekers. Still today he travels the world, teaching classes and international seminars, to keep the spirit of the great Shakti alive.