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Karl KellnerAustrian chemist and occultist.
Date of Birth: 01.09.1851
Country:  Austria |
Content:
- Carl Kellner: Austrian Chemist and Occultist
- Occult Explorations
- Tantric Practices and Yoga
- Contact with the Hermetic Brotherhood of Light
- Personal Life and Influences
- Lingosulfite Therapy
Carl Kellner: Austrian Chemist and Occultist
Scientific AccomplishmentsBorn in 1851, Carl Kellner was an Austrian chemist who distinguished himself in the scientific community at the tender age of 22. Through his groundbreaking research, he made significant contributions to fields such as papermaking, gemstone synthesis, photography, electrochemistry, and more.
Occult Explorations
Beyond his scientific pursuits, Kellner immersed himself in the world of the occult, becoming an avid explorer of Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, yoga, and alchemy. He claimed to have encountered three adepts during his travels: the Sufi Suleiman ben Eyayif, who taught him meditative techniques, and two Indian tantrists: Bhgima Sena Pratap and Sri Mahamahatma Agamaya Paramahamsa, who introduced him to the secrets of hatha yoga.
Tantric Practices and Yoga
Kellner devoted the rest of his life to practicing hatha yoga, which he complemented with gymnastics and wrestling training. He also embraced Hindu methods of muscle development and chest expansion. In 1889, he published a textbook on yoga, although modern scholars criticize it for its inaccuracies. His relationship with Agamaya continued until 1903, when he allegedly fell victim to the yogi's curse after exposing certain yogic secrets to European occultists.
Contact with the Hermetic Brotherhood of Light
Kellner later became involved with the Hermetic Brotherhood of Light, a mystical society claiming descent from the Austrian Masonic-Rosicrucian organization "Brothers of Light." This organization traced its lineage to earlier groups such as the "Germanic Order of the Golden and Rosy Cross."
Personal Life and Influences
Kellner married Maria-Antoinette, who supported his occult interests and pursued her own artistic endeavors in painting and photography. In 1885, he encountered the esotericist Franz Hartmann, who introduced him to the Theosophical Society. Hartmann claimed that Kellner had been initiated into Freemasonry in 1873, adopting the nom de plume "Renatus" ("reborn").
Lingosulfite Therapy
Inspired by his scientific curiosity, Kellner and Hartmann developed lingosulfite therapy, an inhalation treatment for tuberculosis patients. Kellner conceived this method after observing a lower incidence of consumption among workers in his paper factory's lingosulfite shops. The efficacy of this therapy remains uncertain, but it brought success to the Salzburg sanatorium where it was offered. Notably, the renowned occult writer Gustav Meyrink was among its clientele. Kellner appointed Hartmann as director of this institution, providing him with a steady income and social standing.
