Mr. Gottwald, the world is burning at every corner right now. The Middle East, Trump, Europe, the economy. Many people feel overwhelmed. You say this is not coincidence. What do you mean by that?
In my personal conviction, we are currently experiencing a global transformation process — I call it a global reset. I have been observing and communicating certain social developments for years. 2012, then 2017, then 2019. Back then I pointed to developments in my circle that I considered likely: stronger state control, restrictions on mobility and entrepreneurship, new health crises. Much of that has come to pass. That does not mean I know the future. It means I try to read systems. And my personal assessment today is: the agenda continues. Regardless of whether the Strait of Hormuz is open or not.
Editorial note: The assessments expressed here are personal opinions. They do not represent verified forecasts or statements of fact.
You are often described as a contrarian. How do you deal with that?
People who point to certain developments earlier than others are often ridiculed at first. In the first year. The second. The third. In the fifth year the first start to doubt. In the eighth someone says: oh, you were right. That is a pattern that repeats. What I find sad about it: not that I was right — but that expressing an opinion in our society more and more frequently has social consequences. People who think freely, who question things, who are communicatively provocative — those are the disruptive factors. Yet they are precisely the ones who at the end of the day see the connections.
“Those who say are attackable. Those who ask, lead.”
Who is the “we” you speak of — when you say we communicated this in 2012, 2017, 2019?
That is the Gottwald Holding LLC. A global network of people — from the CEO of an international bank to the person who mows his lawn tomorrow morning. What connects them is not their income or their title. It is the ability to think. And I hold little regard for titles generally. My experience is: the more academic degrees someone has, the less independently they often actually think. That sounds provocative — but it is an honest observation from many years and many conversations.
You speak of systems that work against people. What is the deepest cause of that — in your view?
The conditioning of human beings. My personal conviction is that very few people ever really know who they are. Not because they are stupid — but because they never had the opportunity to find out. We are shaped from birth: by family, school, media, social expectations. That is no conspiracy — that is simply how social systems function. A psychiatrist once said something to me that I have never forgotten: why do you believe that is your problem — when the difficult relationship history of your parents is older than you yourself? That struck me. Because it is so precise.
“Why do you believe that is your problem — when the difficult relationship history of your parents is older than you yourself?”
You mentioned family that did not understand you in difficult moments — or actively worked against you. What did that do to you?
I read a book whose core message shaped me deeply: forget it. Not as indifference — but as liberation. Today I feel sorry for such people. When I have time and think of it, I include them in my prayers. And that is that. Not because I am cold — but because I have learned that I am not responsible for others’ decisions. That applies to family just as much as to neighbours, business partners or acquaintances. Everyone decides for themselves how they live and how they treat others. My energy belongs to the people and projects that truly count.
How do you recognise genuine allies — people you can truly trust in these times?
Not by what someone says — but by how someone reacts. Facial expression, body language, breathing — how does someone change when an uncomfortable topic is raised? I am sensitised to this because I had to learn it. The hard way. My approach today: I do not say. I only ask. Those who say are attackable. Those who ask, lead. That is my personal experience — not a universal recipe, but a principle that has helped me.
Many people know that something is wrong — but do not act. Why do you think that is?
Fear. Fear is the greatest driver for people to remain in their comfort zone. Self-constructed cages in which they move — not because anyone forces them to, but because leaving would have consequences: social, familial, economic. The image I use for this: an animal that has spent its entire life in a cage. The cage is opened. The fence is gone. But the animal still runs within the same five square metres. Because the fence remained in the mind. That is not a criticism — it is human. But it is recognisable. And it is changeable.
“The cage is opened. The fence is gone. But the animal still runs in the same five square metres. Because the fence remained in the mind.”
You describe a method of inner stillness. What is it concretely — and how did you come to it?
I needed ten years to find a way of truly thinking nothing. Ten years. That sounds long — and it was long. But then it was suddenly so simple that I was surprised myself. You lie down, comfortable, completely relaxed. Right hand on the heart. Left hand on the navel. Eyes closed. And then you give your mind a clear instruction: we stop thinking now. The mind naturally reports — with thoughts, worries, tasks. And you respond calmly: I heard you. The shopping list — stored, we’ll deal with it later. The argument — noted, comes later. No repetitions. Real quiet. Do we agree? And then — when that moment truly comes — the heart begins to work. Not the brain. For me personally, that is the most direct path to myself.
Editorial note: The practice described is a personal experience of Mathias Gottwald. It does not replace medical, therapeutic or psychological professional advice.
What happens when that moment comes — when the mind truly becomes still?
It becomes incredibly loud. I apologise, I have to laugh — but it is true. It becomes differently loud. The mind is still. The body is relaxed. And then something begins to dance — the organ no one can operate on. Because no one has ever surgically removed heartache. The heart begins to fill up. It is a feeling like a small child at a total surprise. Pure. Unmixed. Without judgement. I wish that feeling for every human being on this earth. Not as a promise — as an invitation to try it for yourself.
“The organ no one can operate on — then begins to completely fill up. It is a feeling like a child at a massive surprise.”
When someone experiences this stillness — how does their view of the world change afterwards? Of crises, politics, people?
You see above all grief. And pain. And disappointment. Because you know: every single one of us could end all of this. Right now. If tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock no human being on this earth picks up a weapon anymore. If no human being mocks, insults or humiliates another. If everyone gives everyone else a smile — because it costs nothing but gives much. If everyone begins to do things differently — not because they have to, but because they can. That is not a utopia. It is a decision. One everyone can make. Now.
You say wars and conflicts begin inside. What do you mean by that?
That is my deepest personal conviction: aggression, hatred, division, wars — these are the reactions of people who have never truly encountered their own shadow. Who have never looked at, acknowledged or accepted their dark side. Every person has a good and a bad side. That is not a weakness — it is human. But only when you truly look at both sides, acknowledge and accept them, can you decide when in which moment you let go of what. And then — only then — can you act truly freely. Rather than out of fear, insecurity or the desire to maintain power.
“Only those who know can let go.”
Is peace in this world even possible — as long as we have not first guided every single person into inner work?
I believe, if the message — and at its core it is feeling, not thinking — if it arrives: yes. Every human being loves. Every human being has this known organ that no one can operate on, but everyone has. Everyone. Without exception. And if everyone begins to feel there again — only feel there — and if what they feel is only the best in and for themselves: how could that ever be bad for someone else? That is not possible.
You have had everything and lost everything. What did the greatest loss give you?
The certainty of having the faith to know who I am.
“The greatest loss gave me the certainty of knowing who I am.”
What gives you hope despite everything?
According to the Gregorian calendar, I am something over 44 years old today. I have experienced all the highs. And all the lows. And in every low there was a moment when things continued. Always. Because there is no end. You were never born, because you always are. And because you always are, you cannot die. And when you truly understand that — then you ask yourself: who actually holds me back? Who limits me? And the answer is: no one. Except the fence in one’s own mind. And that can be opened.
What is your message to the world?
Stop. Now. Stop. The whole world. Everyone individually. Regardless of who did what. Regardless of who was what. Regardless of who is where. Now. From now on you only take care of the people you love. Who truly matter to you. Who are close to your heart. You only do what gives you a task, what gives you a feeling. Where you feel at home. You only do what in every moment of your being creates a feeling of your being. And if that is always the case — then you are in every moment. And if you are that, then you are everything. Full speed ahead.
“Full speed ahead.”