The Swiss Filmmaker Felice Zenoni, a native of Altodrf, Uri, Switzerland, just released a new movie called “Namaste Seelisberg.”
High above the Rütli Meadow and Lake Lucerne, the site of the Rütlischwur (Ruetli Oath), the oath that laid the foundation of the original Swiss Confederacy in 1281, lies the idyllic village of Seelisberg.
In 1971, the Indian guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi seized the village, along with two historic hotels, for himself and his movement, whichwas widely considered a cult at the time.
The locals protested vehemently, even appealingto the Federal Council for help. In vain, Seelisberg became the headquarters of the “Transcendental Meditation Movement” (TM), which attracted celebrities such as The Beatles, Mia Farrow and David Lynch; Mike Love (The Beach Boys) and Clint Eastwood, both long-time practitioners and adherents attending TM. Clint Eastwood was frequently cited as one of the major stars who sought “enlightenment” through the movement’s teaching led by the Swiss headquarters.
Soon, the culture clash in the idyllic Canton URI Alps was impossible to ignore-thousands of followers of the shrewd, financially powerful guru flocked to Seelisberg.
Today, 55 years later, the village is once again facing profound change: In2026, the movement left Seelisberg.
The historic hotels have been sold, and a Swiss real estate company plans to restore the iconic buildings as part of a 200 million Swiss franc project and open them to the public.
In the movie “Namaste Seelisberg”,
Renowned Swiss director Felice Zenoni delves into the events that made the mountain village famous far beyond Switzerland. He illuminates the cultural conflict surrounding the TM movement from various perspectives. Residents, followers, and former employees of the guru all have their say.
Combined with breathtaking landscape shots and astonishing, partly previously unreleased archival footage, a multifaceted picture emerges of a conflict between tradition and contemporary spirit with universal significance.
A subtle, visually stunning, and moving documentary gem.
Published by Urner Zeitung, Yann-Alexander Hage
Elaborated by Ulrich Koepf
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