MY UNIVERSITIES: WHAT IS TRAINED, IS DEVELOPED
As promised, I'll talk about the teachings that helped me reach a new level of personal development and eventually led me to the System of Happiness.
A strong impulse at that time was given to me by Mirzakarim Norbekov's book "The Experience of a Fool, or the Key to Enlightenment". I don't even remember how it came into my hands. But I distinctly remember that everything started from there. Mirzakarim Norbekov, an adept of ancient esoteric traditions, founder of the "Institute of Human Self-Recovery," author of several books. Among them is the aforementioned "The Experience of a Fool". Norbekov is a controversial figure, about whom much is written - both good and not so good. Honestly, I don't read it. It's not interesting because I have my own firm opinion about the person I personally know.
Many things described in his book resonated with me, struck a chord. I finished reading it, barely had time to "cool down," when a training session was organized in Chernihiv according to Norbekov's system, then, in 2003. It was conducted by one of Norbekov's best students, Vadik Shishkin. I participated and became even more enthusiastic.
One of the main ideas of the teaching: a person is capable of healing themselves both physically and spiritually. But the new cannot arise from the old - hence the thesis of "breaking the shell", going through internal changes in one's personality, attitudes, habits. How? This is what Norbekov's teaching is all about, touching on all the main aspects of human life - relationships, work, money, spiritual growth. Above all - health! "You cannot be successful in business if things are bad at home, if there are problems in the family, if your health is deteriorating," he told us.
What distinguishes a sick person from a healthy person? A healthy person has good posture, a smile on their face, and a positive mood in their soul. The enzyme that directly affects the condition of the body and well-being, acetylcholinesterase, is produced regardless of whether you are actually healthy and happy, or just pretending to behave like a healthy, happy, satisfied person. This is how Norbekov reveals the topic of psychosomatics.
It sounds deceptively simple, but to make it work in reality, you need to put in the effort. That's what I did in 2004, in Crete, where I attended Norbekov's 10-day "Success Workshop". The main theme seemed to be business, with the target audience being businessmen. But remember: everything is interconnected, everything works in tandem. So there were discussions about health, relationships, and other topics.
I will never forget our daily morning sessions on the beach, where successful adult men learned to stand up straight and smile continuously for an hour. Quite a sight. But what an effect it had... I cannot describe it. It's a sensation in the body that has persisted for many years, still feeling fresh.
In the morning, there were exercises, and after lunch, about five hours of lectures and practice. Additionally, every other evening there were outdoor lectures. In total, about 80 hours of intensive learning. The results didn't take long to show.
"If you set powerful goals and work according to my practices, your life will change, but the changes may be painful," Norbekov warned. The greater your dream or goal, the thicker the shell you need to break through.
I am a very diligent and stubborn student. I launched many processes, carefully adhering to the techniques we were taught. And within a year, many things that seemed unshakable in my life began to crack at the seams. Breaking out of the shell through pain, tears, losses, trust collapses, and deception. Divorce from my first wife, a rupture with business partners - it all came crashing down at once. I was able to unravel this knot and reach a new level. My surroundings and lifestyle changed dramatically. At a new level, everything is always better, bigger, higher quality, brighter. But to reach it, you have to overcome your old self. Cycles end, and to move to a new stage, you have to break your shell every time.
There were many techniques and practices - from exercises on the seaside and meditations to sessions in the "secret library" echoing things described in Carlos Castaneda's books. Norbekov didn't directly touch on the concept of the Flow, but its existence was implied by default, in the basic set of the worldview. To make it clearer, let me give you an analogy. It's like talking about plates in a restaurant. Where do you eat from? From the plate, of course!
One of the main principles I took from this experience: what you train, develops. If you want to improve something, train systematically. Happiness is no exception.
