Abstract: Dr. Wolfgang Luthe (1922-1985) is known for his important influences on the international understanding of Autogenic Training (AT). However, there is little source-based research on his life in Germany before his emigration to Canada. This is why, for example, his membership of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) or his participation and wounding in the Second World War have not yet been thematized. The same applies to his medical studies and the question of how he came into contact with AT and its founder Johannes Heinrich Schultz. The fact that J. H. Schultz supported him from the mid-1950s with regard to the international dissemination of AT has already been explained several times. However, the fact that there were differences between them, e.g. with regard to the practical introduction into AT, has so far been little reflected upon. Furthermore, Schultz did not necessarily agree with some of Luthe's basic neuropsychological hypotheses, which were, however, an important element of the Autogenic Abreaction, Verbalization and Neutralization etc. developed by Luthe and which were part of his concept of Autogenic Therapy. These aspects are discussed in this article, which is part of the historical research to mark the 100^th birthday of AT in 2020. In addition, the research results presented are supplemented by audio files in which Wolfgang Luthe himself explains some of his professional positions presented in the article.

Keywords: History of Autogenic Training, biography of Wolfgang Luthe 1922-1985, international dissemination of Autogenic Training, Autogenic Abreaction, Autogenic Neutralization, Autogenic Therapy, Autogenics

Published in: British Autogenic Society (Ed.) BAS-Newsletter December 2024, pp. 4-21