No Blood Sacrifice in Spas, Yet...

But Here's Why We Still Need to Understand Our Primal Origins

When I was 16, I found myself captivated by the visceral and provocative work of Hermann Nitsch, the Austrian performance artist who was then far from the iconic figure he is today. This was around 40 years ago, a time when Nitsch was more reviled than revered, his art considered blasphemous by many. The world hadn't yet caught up with his radical vision, and his notoriety was limited to a small circle of avant-garde enthusiasts. A newspaper article from that era described his work as "a grotesque display of barbarism that has no place in civilized society."

Today, Nitsch’s blood paintings are highly sought after, with some pieces selling for staggering amounts. In recent years, his work has been recognized for its profound impact on contemporary art, with auction prices reflecting this newfound appreciation. One of his paintings fetched over $600,000 (€600,000) at Ketterer Kunst in Munich, marking the highest auction result for his work to date, solidifying his status as a significant figure in the art world (Nitsch Foundation, Artprice).

In those days, I was a student at Gymnasium Lienz in East Tirol, and I decided to dedicate my final project to Nitsch’s work. It was an ambitious endeavor, almost a PhD-like dissertation. Determined, I wrote to Nitsch, pouring out my admiration for his work. To my astonishment, he responded by sending me his monumental book on the Orgien Mysterien Theater. This tome became my bible, a sacred text that I studied with fervor, influencing my thoughts and creative direction profoundly. However, my school refused to allow me to present it in the end.

Forty years later, I reached out to him again, hoping to express my gratitude and share how his work had shaped mine. He replied, telling me he was very ill. Sadly, shortly after our exchange, he passed away, and I never had the chance to meet the man whose genius had such a lasting impact on me.

Nitsch’s Orgien Mysterien Theater, or "Orgy Mystery Theater" in English, is a cornerstone of my philosophy and practice, particularly within the context of Forbidden Yoga. His understanding that human beings need to reconnect with the primal, often dark aspects of their nature to find true happiness resonates deeply with me. Nitsch believed that ancient rituals, including blood and animal sacrifices, were essential in tapping into the genetic memory of humanity. These rituals, he argued, were necessary for individuals to fully comprehend their place in the world and to achieve a state of profound well-being. Nitsch once said, "Through the ritual of the sacrifice, we confront the elemental forces within us, embracing our primal nature to transcend our mortal constraints" (MuseumWeek Magazine).

In his writings, which traverse an anthropological journey through various religious traditions, Nitsch posits that to embrace our humanity, we must confront our intrinsic darkness. This involves recognizing the significance of ritualistic sacrifice, not as a literal practice but as a symbolic act that acknowledges our ancestral roots. Nitsch saw Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, for instance, as a form of sacrificial theatre, where the audience could witness and derive catharsis without personal harm. Similarly, the bloody gladiator games of ancient Rome served a dual purpose of entertainment and collective emotional release for the spectators. He noted, "The theatre of sacrifice allows the audience to experience the profoundest depths of human existence vicariously, providing a release and renewal that words alone cannot convey" (ARTPULSE MAGAZINE).

Nitsch’s performances, often misunderstood and controversial, used the raw elements of animal sacrifice and visceral spectacle to engage the audience in a profound, sensory experience. These acts were designed to simulate ancient rituals in a modern context, allowing participants to achieve a cathartic release without real harm. For Nitsch, this was essential in maintaining a connection to our primal origins and ensuring our psychological and emotional health. Of course, you can't do something like this in a modern wellness spa, I get it. Nitsch’s emphasis on catharsis through intense emotional and sensory experiences offers a more holistic path to well-being. This is not the kind of serene luxury you find in a spa at Aman in Thailand or the Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain in China, but rather a deep, raw engagement with the essence of what it means to be human (Skira).

To integrate Nitsch’s insights into contemporary wellness practices, we must rethink what human wellness actually means in the deep core, we must try to invent environments that allow for deep emotional engagement and catharsis, perhaps more expansive than just a Wim Hof cold water ice bath. This could involve immersive, sensory-rich experiences that enable individuals to confront and process intense emotions safely, similar to Osho's Encounter groups, which today are almost forgotten. As Osho once said, "In the Encounter, you meet yourself in the rawest form, stripping away the pretenses and facades to reveal the true self."

It’s about fostering a space where people can explore the full spectrum of their humanity, including its darker facets, to achieve true happiness and well-being. In my Sensual Liberation Retreats, I adopt a similar approach. The "single client," as I refer to them, is immersed in a meticulously crafted environment where actors bring their subconscious to life. Over days, weeks, or even months, the client becomes an active participant in their theatre of dreams, confronting their inner demons and desires in a controlled yet profoundly transformative setting.

Hermann Nitsch and Sigmund Freud remain, to me, the most significant figures in Austrian culture, their works underappreciated in their homeland. Their insights into the human psyche and the necessity of confronting our innate darkness have shaped my work profoundly. In honoring their legacy, I strive to create spaces where individuals can explore the depths of their humanity and emerge with a deeper understanding and appreciation of themselves. Nitsch aptly summarized this pursuit: "To truly live, one must embrace both the ecstasy and the agony of existence, allowing the full spectrum of human experience to illuminate our path to enlightenment" (ARTPULSE MAGAZINE, Skira).