Hans Laurentius (born 1964) is a spiritual teacher, author, and musician whose work focuses on awareness, freedom, and enlightenment, with an emphasis on non-duality, true human adulthood, and the liberation of emotional energy and conditionings. Trained in spiritual therapy in the 1990s, Hans’ own spiritual search culminated in an awakening inspired by the teachings of Nisargadatta Maharaj and Ramana Maharshi. Since 1998, he has led numerous satsangs, retreats, and private sessions, authored 15 books, and created a significant body of work exploring the intersection of spirituality, psychology, and human development. Known for his directness and clarity, Hans encourages deep self-inquiry and integration of body, mind, and soul to achieve authentic freedom and adulthood. MysticMag has the opportunity to chat with Hans.
Hans, your “False Notes” trilogy blends humor, irony, and deep philosophical reflections. How do you see these elements working together to provoke deeper self-inquiry and challenge conventional thinking?
I began writing about these topics after immersing myself deeply in spirituality and Advaita and writing ten books about that. I realized there’s a wealth of other knowledge that often goes unnoticed or unacknowledged. Many people hold onto beliefs rooted in romanticism or magical thinking—ideas that have already been challenged or countered by science, sociology, or psychology. I felt compelled to share this broader perspective to help others critically examine themselves and their beliefs and question the convictions or belief systems that keep them trapped. Also these books are meant as a means to counter some naivety and other silly notions about us human-monkeys that people love to hold on to. To help them grow up a little and think a bit more clearly and honestly.
Advaita, or non-duality, has been central to your spiritual journey. How do you approach teaching this concept in a way that resonates with those who might be new to it or struggling with the illusion of separation?
When people first reach out to me, I typically recommend they read one or two of my books. This helps them grasp the basics and determine if my approach resonates with them. Many who contact me or attend my meetings have already engaged with my YouTube videos or read some of my writings, so they’re not entirely new to non-duality or Advaita. My approach is always flexible; I focus on understanding what each person or member of a group (in satsang) needs in the moment. I don’t believe in static teaching—it’s a creative process that evolves based on the individuals present and their unique circumstances.
You’ve been influenced by diverse figures, from spiritual teachers like Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj to musicians like Frank Zappa. How have these seemingly different sources shaped your views on individuality and self-realization?
There’s certainly a distinction to be made here. Frank Zappa, for instance, was not familiar with Advaita, but he exemplified excellence and a strong sense of purpose and the ability to be really creative. Being focused on (creative or other) work can create a tension between our social obligations, the cultural norms and values on the one hand and our personal interests on the other. We must navigate how much of our time and energy we’re willing to spend with others and how much we need to keep for ourselves as we work through our own challenges, or work on projects, or try to figure something out. There’s always a tension between authenticity and connection, between focus and social expectations or norms. Everything we do has some price tag attached to it.
Artists like Zappa and Bowie also excelled because they dedicated themselves to their craft. Many people mistakenly believe that insights or skills come effortlessly, but the reality is that mastery requires significant time and lots of effort and overcoming yourself. Choices must be made—whether to spend hours honing a skill or to engage in social activities for instance.
In contrast, figures like Shri Nisargadatta Maharaj embody pure Advaita. When I first encountered his teachings, it was a revelation. His insights resonated deeply with what I had intuitively understood but had never encountered this articulated so clearly. People began to tell me that my way of speaking reflected Advaita, prompting them to introduce me to works by Alexander Smith, a Dutch teacher and student of Nisargadatta, as well as Nisargadatta’s own writings. These texts beautifully articulated experiences and insights I had already had.
This recognition did not stem from some imagined past life, as some are inclined to believe, for one of the core insights is: there is no self at all! No soul, no true nature or ‘real’ identity… (Funny thing that neuroscience has caught on and can demonstrate this and other stuff, like the illusion of self/soul and the illusion of free or conscious will). The reading of this advaita material just ignited something I already ‘knew’. Like musicality can become activated.
Almost everyone has some form of innate ability, those who are nurtured in an environment rich in music are more likely to develop that talent, than those who never encounter it. Similarly, spiritual insights can be awakened or nurtured, depending on one’s circumstances, in my case the combination of an inquisitive mind and some reading – to keep it simple here.
In your sessions and writings, you emphasize confronting limiting beliefs and dismantling convictions. What advice would you give to someone struggling to break free from deeply ingrained patterns of thought?
Yes, in my sessions and writings, I emphasize the importance of confronting limiting beliefs and dismantling entrenched convictions, allowing for deeper understanding and more authentic, free or honest expression. Also to feel through emotional residues and learning how to think – for most people believe they think but in fact they don’t – they just repeat what they believe to be true and get trapped within all kinds of biases, the confirmation bias most of all.
I first need to assess whether someone truly wants to delve into their beliefs, as many of us hold onto them out of fear. Our belief systems often act as shields or protective barriers. For meaningful exploration to occur, there must be an intrinsic motivation to examine these beliefs. Typically, individuals only begin this investigation when they feel bothered by certain issues. If everything seems fine, why would they want to explore anything?
Most people who come to me are struggling with limiting beliefs, emotional residues, or traumas. But it’s essential that their motivation is clear. If someone lacks that motivation, I won’t invest my time in the process. Besides working with convictions and emotional residues I’ll try to make people aware of the presence of Consciousness (That Which Sees of Experiences) itself. Without that spiritual awakening won’t be possible and maturity will remain hard to develop.
Your books and satsangs explore the idea of maturity in spiritual awakening. How do you define ‘true maturity,’ and how does it relate to the process of spiritual growth in your view?
Being an adult means confronting feelings rather than avoiding them, or at least being able to be with them instead of suppressing them or acting them out. Often, people disguise their avoidance as concern for others, claiming they don’t want to hurt someone by saying something difficult (or doing something, or refusing some request). However, this behavior typically stems from a fear of discomfort. So, the sales pitch here is ‘being kind’ or ‘friendly’, while in fact it’s about avoiding uncomfortable feelings – so it’s not kind or social at all, it’s selfish and rather childish.
In my view, a true adult embraces their feelings and is unafraid to delve into them. They don’t shy away from difficult conversations and won’t attempt to force outcomes. Instead, they maintain composure when things don’t go their way – or quickly reset to neutral and open. They learn or have learned how to ‘back off’, to reset themselves by giving their attention to Consciousness itself instead of allowing their attention to remain hijacked by their wants, needs, fears or opinions and feelings.
I frequently observe patterns of overreaction in the immature and a tendency to repeat certain behaviors, expecting different results each time round, which is hilarious. A big tendency also to seek excuses and to keep repeating those lazy stories. Each repetition ingrains those patterns deeper into the system, making it even harder to break free from them or learn something. It’s way more useful and interesting to grow up, which also means to grow out of stuff, than to remain more or less the same – like a 10-year-old in the body of a 40- or 50-year-old… right?
If you would like to find out more about Hans Laurentius, please visit https://www.hanslaurentius.com/
There’s a small English section to be found on his website with some articles, a free book and a free booklet.
