Choosing the path of a scientific researcher, a person most often dooms himself to years of hard work and loneliness. Great discoveries are rare, and painstaking daily work can often lead to a dead end.
You can get international recognition and a number of prestigious awards. But it also happens that all discoveries are recognized as pseudoscientific by pundits, and instead of honored laurels, ridicule and persecution will be obtained.
Such a scientist for his time was Wilhelm Reich, who was not understood and appreciated by contemporaries. “Love, work and knowledge are the sources of our lives. They must determine its course , ”Reich said and always adhered to this rule.
He was gifted, possessed perseverance and amazing performance, but could not cope with his own pain and fears, which have been reaching for Reich since childhood.
Beginning of life
From birth, Wilhelm Reich was a subject of Austria-Hungary. The power and despotism of the father were opposed to the softness and pliability of the mother. Wilhelm never had a kinship relationship with his younger brother.
Pity for the mother did not prevent the boy from telling his father about the courtship of the home teacher for her. A scandal erupted, the consequence of which was the death of his mother. Bibliographers note that Reich could not recover from this mental trauma all his life.
Father survived his wife for a short while. At seventeen, William took care of the family farm on his shoulders .
The outbreak of war crossed out previous life. Cavalry rushed through their native Galicia, divisions marched, destroying everything in their path. There was a threat of forced relocation to the territory of the Russian Empire. Reich decides to leave Bukovina. Never again will he return to his native land.
War
At that time, William seemed the most correct entry into the Austrian army. For four years, he proved himself in battles on the Italian front, rose to the rank of lieutenant.
Military service did not become a vocation. Death, blood, suffering oppressed William. Not happy about the fate of the losing side. Austria-Hungary lost a part of its lands, including Bukovina. This part of the empire came under the jurisdiction of Romania. There was no question of returning to our native lands.
Years of study
Having said goodbye to the army forever, Wilhelm Reich goes to Vienna. There he decides to enter the medical faculty of the local university. Participation in the war gave him the opportunity to reduce the course of study by two years.
After practicing in the clinics of the University, Reich decided on a future specialization. Along with the study of internal diseases, he became interested in neuropsychiatry, hypnosis and suggestion-based therapy. He attended courses for an additional study of biology.
Research and publications by luminaries such as Sigmund Freud spurred Wilhelm. He seemed in a hurry to undergo basic training and begin his own practical research.
Sigmund Freud and the First Steps in Psychoanalysis
At 23, Wilhelm became a member of the Vienna Association of Psychoanalysts. He had a direct path to the best medical clinics and institutes.
But Reich was interested in a new direction in psychiatry - psychoanalysis. At this time, it became possible to get into Freud's students. In matters of studying a new discipline, Wilhelm was the most stubborn and capable assistant.
The teacher appreciated his zeal and abilities: by the age of thirty, Reich first became vice-director, and then headed the Freud clinic. Until the beginning of the 30s, a young scientist was conducting a stormy activity. He leads his private practice, seminars, lectures. Engaged in psychological research. It was then that his own theory of the emergence of neurosis was born.
In order to develop and test his research, he conducts receptions and consultations at help centers for various sections of the population of Vienna. The more evidence of his theory that Reich received, the more complicated the relationship with Freud. Discontent accumulated, they refused to understand each other.
The last straw was William's fascination with the ideas of communism. He increasingly went into the study of the causes of neurosis of the working class, disputing the conclusions of the teacher.
As their own theory of psychoanalysis took shape, the bourgeois doctrines that Sigmund Freud preached faded into the background. Soon there was a complete gap in the relations of scientists. Reich from a talented student and follower turned into a obstinate apostate who defends the ideas of communism.
Own Theory of Psychoanalysis
“Due to centuries of oppression, the masses are not able to control freedom” (V. Reich).
During the sessions of psychoanalysis, a young scientist noticed a connection between the behavior and mental state of patients. After studying this phenomenon, Wilhelm Reich developed a theory according to which it is possible to artificially influence the psychological attitude, changing the manner of behavior.
At the same time, he came to the realization that neurosis is a direct consequence of a person’s sexual depression of society. Psychological health depends on the ability to release stored energy in time. The restraining factor that prevents us from getting rid of tension is society, the laws of morality and behavior.
The therapy of Wilhelm Reich consisted of the prevention and treatment of not only the individual, but also society as a whole. He came up with proposals to change the social norms of morality and thereby achieve a healthier society psychologically.
On his own initiative, Reich holds consultations and gives educational lectures to working youth. Supporting the ideas of Marx, the scientist was sure that the future of the country lay with this part of society.
He introduced the concept of “sexual revolution” into his mind, arguing that only a liberated person with sexual rights and freedoms can be useful to society.
Reich categorically argued that the mental health of the nation is not in prohibitions, but in the possibility of liberation of sexual energy. His proposal not to treat, but to carry out the prevention of neurosis, received a wide response much later, after his death.
A family
It is not known for certain how the theory of psychoanalysis helped the author of the method. It seems that Reich was not happy. He was so busy with scientific research that he did not find time for himself at all.
Childhood years passed under the yoke of a powerful father, overshadowed by guilt for the death of his mother. Several times Wilhelm returned to an attempt to analyze that period of his life, but never achieved success in this.
The first time a scientist tried to create his own family as a student at the university. Annie Pink has been the wife of a scientist for 11 years. She moved with him to Germany, but refused to go to Scandinavia.
In Oslo, he met ballerina Elsa Lindenberg, passionate about the ideas of communism. It would seem that you can enjoy family happiness, but at that time the first wave of persecution of Reich began. He was labeled a false scientist, expelled from medical associations, openly laughed in newspaper publications.
Reich's character traits of his father began to appear in this period. Authoritarianism has become the main feature of his nature. In relations with his wife, jealousy and mistrust increasingly slipped. In the end, the second marriage broke up.
After moving to America, Reich will marry for the third time. He opted for an immigrant from Germany Ilse Ollendorf, who was also his assistant.
Very little evidence of the scientist’s personal life. A few old photographs and brief eyewitness accounts. Own family meant for Reich not so much as his scientific activities.
Germany and Sekspol
After the final break with Freud, Reich moved to Berlin. The confusion of the political situation in Germany, new trends among young people created excellent soil for the improvement and implementation of their own method.
The scientist creates the Union of proletarian sexual policy at the state level. The ideas of the organization were so innovative that in the first year the number of participants exceeded fifty thousand.
Ideas about sexual education, the rights to contraceptives, abortion and divorce were very successful in the circles of progressive youth. The main goal of Sexspol was to prevent the suppression of a free man by society in order to maintain psychological health.
The scientist developed special exercises and introduced a special massage for the free movement of energy in the body. The sexual revolution took place in the minds and actions of the followers of the Reich.
Many enlightened people of that time did not support or openly expressed their dissatisfaction with National Socialism, which openly declared itself in the early 30s. The protesters included Wilhelm Reich, books whose publications, especially Psychology of the Masses and Fascism, showed without embellishment the entire background of the impending system, especially its effect on the psychological state of a person.
“The combination of reactionary ideas with revolutionary feelings results in a fascist type of personality” (V. Reich).
The frankness of statements and adherence to their own judgments led to the first negative consequences. Pundits from the Psychoanalytic Association accused him of pseudo-scientific activity and commitment to the ideas of communism. As a result, Reich had to say goodbye to this scientific organization.
A number of publications by the scientist caused discontent among members of the Communist Party. Reich was expelled from the party.
According to Wilhelm's own words, life in Germany with the advent of the Nazis became dangerous for him. Arrest or physical destruction could have occurred at any moment.
There was nothing left but to leave Germany and seek salvation and understanding in other countries.
Years of wandering: Scandinavia and the discovery of orgone
After moving to Scandinavia, Reich first settled in Norway. There he founded a school of body therapy. He held consultations, lectured, and hosted a reception. He tried to explain and improve the existing areas of psychoanalysis, conducted scientific experiments.
As a result, Wilhelm Reich discovered a completely new biological energy. Its analogs did not exist. Further experiments showed a number of properties that could be used to treat diseases and their prevention. According to the scientist, even cancer cells could not resist the new energy.
Reich defined his discovery and called the energy "orgone." After the publication of the research materials, a new wave of indignation in the scientific community arose. Taunts and bullying brought the scientist to the point that he was forced to move to Denmark.
No significant improvements have occurred in the new country. Authorities have banned research. The collapse of his second marriage was drawing near. The situation was fueled by the imminent start of a great war. Reich began to seriously think about moving to America. He believed that in a free country he would be able to realize his ideas and continue scientific research.
Relocation to America
In Oslo, Reich made acquaintance with Theodore Wolf. It was this American psychologist who contributed to the rapid relocation to America. In the 39th year, William received an invitation to New York and moved to the New World.
The first few years were very fruitful. Reich lectured and taught courses. Many of his works began to be published in English. Doctors accepted his innovations in therapy and gladly adopted the technique.
The main thing in this period of life was the opportunity to do research on the orgone. He believed that with the help of this energy he could defeat cancer. Experiments on mice showed good prospects. US authorities have allowed the creation of the Orgon Institute.
At this time, Reich began to develop a vaccine against cancer and the possibility of accumulation of orgone. This was necessary in order to use energy more fully and directionally.
During his trips around the country, Reich discovered the ideal place to experiment with orgone. It would seem that the very state of Maine took care of this. The scientist came to those places for experiments for several years in a row until the opportunity appeared to acquire a small farm.
Orgone therapy
In the early 40s, the scientist began to introduce orgone therapy. For these purposes, special batteries have been created. They were ordinary boxes made of metal and wood.
The patient was inside and within 30 minutes was saturated with orgone. According to Reich, it is possible to accelerate metabolic processes and increase blood circulation.
The experiment, conducted by a scientist on 14 people hopelessly ill with cancer, showed amazing results. Improvement was observed, x-rays showed a decrease in the tumor. Several patients remained alive several years after orgone therapy.
Based on the studies, Wilhelm Reich came to the conclusion that the presence of emotional blocks in a person contributes to a sharp decrease in the level of bioenergy inside the body. In this regard, there is a likelihood of a cancerous tumor.
At this time, Reich actively promotes the use of orgone batteries. Articles are published, lectures are given, books are printed. These years have been very fruitful in the life of a scientist. It was about such freedom of activity that he dreamed when he was in Europe.
Orgonon
In the fall of 1942, the opportunity arose to embark on the realization of an old dream - to build a house in an ideal place for research and study of orgone. An old farm on a lake in Maine was perfect for this.
The house that Reich called Orgonon was growing. Now you can recruit students. A laboratory, library, and observatory were built for them to observe and study energy.
Other uses of orgone
The work of the observatory yielded amazing results. It turned out that orgone can affect natural phenomena. Reich introduced his method of reducing the power of storms and received the approval of the US government. The Phoenix program has produced stunning weather effects.
The scientist designed and tested Cloudbuster - a device that can change orgone energy in the atmosphere. Different concentrations could significantly affect the weather.
The largest experiment was conducted at the request of local farmers. With the help of Cloudbuster, the blueberry crop was saved, causing the long-awaited rain. An article in the newspaper promoted the promotion of new equipment.
Ten years of persecution
“First, a person kills something in himself, then he begins to kill others” (V. Reich).
The scientific world could not come to terms with the strange studies and conclusions that Reich actively promoted. Freud's direct followers and orthodox scholars considered developments and ideas pseudoscientific. And the innovator himself was called a charlatan.
The situation escalated after a scandalous publication in a magazine. A whole tub of drawn facts was poured onto Reich's head. It has been charged that the actions of a false scientist are dangerous to society.
The article gave rise to an investigation that lasted ten years. During this time, the scientist was purposefully persecuted. Interviewed students, partners, patients Reich. None of them made claims or expressed dissatisfaction.
Despite this, the commission issued a verdict - the treatment of cancer with prohibited methods. All equipment was considered hazardous to the health and life of patients. The case was submitted to court, which legalized a complete ban on everything related to the energy of orgone.
In 1957, books published by the Reich Institute flew into the garbage incinerator . Any mention of the orgone was extinct from textbooks. Publications in the periodical press flew into the fire. Lab equipment, batteries, and Cloudbuster were destroyed.
Last years
One of Reich's students tried to save several batteries and labor, which violated the court order. In this regard, a new lawsuit was opened, and both scientists were sentenced to prison, and the Wilhelm Reich Foundation was fined a huge sum - 10 thousand dollars.
History was repeating itself again, but now in free America, the democracy of which the scientist believed so. Scientific works, achievements of a lifetime have been destroyed.
Appeals stubbornly dismissed. The followers of Reich were persecuted and arrested.
Tortured by persecution and flagrant injustice, the scientist writes a will, foreseeing the imminent end of life. He left Orgonon descendants to create a museum and preserve the scientific heritage.
Wilhelm Reich celebrated his sixtieth birthday in prison, and died eight months later. What caused it is not known for certain. The official conclusion is a heart attack.
The great apostate in Orgonon was buried - in the place where he was happy and full of hope for new scientific discoveries.
Decades passed, and many of the ideas, theories and developments of Wilhelm Reich were developed and applied in modern psychotherapy. The sexual revolution begun by him took place. Women got the right to birth control. The subject “Sexual education” is introduced in secondary schools. Bioenergy is used in alternative medicine and in the teachings of philosophers.
Reich belonged to the type of scientists who were not understood and accepted during life. He far surpassed the scientists of his time. It was for this courage, unwillingness to come to terms with reality, that the scientist suffered. Persistent upholding of their ideas gave good shoots, but only after half a century.