Maria in her video account of the 40-day programme and her separate experience of the Bukvitsa game.
Maria · personal experience after participation · video first published: 14 August 2022. Edited by the Institute of Slavic Zhiva.
About this account and its source
- Participant
- Maria; she introduces herself as an artist and art therapist
- Formats described
- The 40-day programme and separate Bukvitsa game sessions with Alexander Zharkov
- Source
- The institute supplied the video and transcript. The recording is hosted here and plays without YouTube.
- Participation and recording dates
- Not established. Maria discusses her state after 40 days; the length of subsequent follow-up is not given.
- First publication
- 14 August 2022; not a confirmed recording date
Original publication · Open the video file · Subtitles RU · Subtitles EN
The question Maria brought
Maria came to the 40-day programme with a question about relationships — 01:18–01:29. She does not give details. At the beginning of the review, she also describes a situation she had tried to resolve for nine years, calling it a karmic knot. She says it resolved on the first day — 00:15–00:37.
Karmic knot is the participant’s expression for her experience. The recording cannot establish the circumstances or what caused the situation to resolve; the first-day timing is not a promise to another person.
The same responsibilities, more calm
Her biggest surprise was her inner state. Previously she felt nervous, worried and rushed every day. She says her responsibilities remained the same after the programme, but she could move through the day and address questions more calmly — 01:31–02:04.
She compares the lightness to how she feels after a bathhouse visit and says she notices it daily, including in stressful situations — 02:05–02:51. How long this continued after the recording is unknown.
What is known about other changes
Maria reports improvements in finances and the resolution of a long-standing housing question — 00:48–01:29. She supplies no amounts, documents or precise circumstances. These reports are retained as part of her story, without treating them as evidence that the programme affects income or housing.
What the current 40-day programme includes
Below is the institute’s current general structure. It is not a reconstruction of Maria’s individual plan: she does not list her exercises or support timetable.
- Body and EnergyDays 1–7
Adjust your daily rhythm and notice tension in your body. In grounding practices, bring attention back to your body and the support beneath your feet.
- Emotions and FeelingsDays 8–14
Name your feelings and explore situations in which resentment or anger returns. Look for a way to express them without harming yourself or others.
- Mind and ThoughtsDays 15–21
Notice recurring anxious thoughts and familiar beliefs. Separate observable facts from assumptions and choose what you want to reconsider.
- Relationships and LineageDays 22–28
Explore family rules and recurring situations in relationships. Define personal boundaries and identify support you can draw from your family’s experience.
- Intuition and DreamsDays 29–35
Observe dreams, imagery and inner responses, and discuss them with your practitioner. Distinguish personal interpretations from the facts you use to make decisions.
- A New BeginningDays 36–40
Gather your observations from the previous stages and review them. Choose the practices you want to continue and one concrete step after the programme.
A separate experience: Bukvitsa and specific actions
Alongside the programme, Maria attended the Bukvitsa game several times. In her account, this is a separate format for exploring a question; hers concerned realising her potential. She says that in one or two sessions she received clear recommendations and a list of specific actions, and then began taking them — 02:51–03:35.
On a narrow screen, scroll the table to the right →
| Topic | What Maria reports | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday state | Less rushing and worrying with the same responsibilities | 01:45–02:04; a personal observation |
| Relationships, finances and housing | Describes changes in several areas | 00:48–01:29; no documents or measurable figures |
| Bukvitsa game | Received recommendations and began taking action | 02:51–03:35; a separate format, with no published list |
This is personal experience, not a promised outcome. The review cannot establish what caused the changes.
Read the timed transcript · English translation
An edited transcript, not a verbatim record. Timings are automatic; unclear speech is marked. The English version is a translation.
- 00:01
Hello! My name is Maria. I am an artist and art therapist. I would like to share the results of my work with Alexander, particularly after the 40-day practice.
- 00:15
On the very first day, a strong karmic knot that I had been trying to untie for nine years came undone.
- 00:26
Literally on the first day of the practice. It was surprising: everything fell into place, or rather unravelled, easily and calmly.
- 00:38
Situations began working out in such a way that enormous changes started happening across my life.
- 00:48
Over those 40 days, there were changes and improvements in every area of my life. All the things I came to the practice with worked out, and even more.
- 01:03
There were improvements in finances and housing questions were resolved. That issue had not been resolved for many years. Things also began happening very easily and comfortably.
- 01:18
Although I came to the practice with a question about relationships, it also touched the other areas where something was not working, if I can put it that way.
- 01:31
But the biggest surprise was how I felt afterwards. Now I feel calm, light and comfortable every day.
- 01:45
Before, I faced stress every day. I was constantly nervous, worried and rushing somewhere. My responsibilities are the same now, but my inner state has changed completely.
- 02:05
It is a little like going to a bathhouse, or rather how you feel afterwards: a sense of lightness [one word is unclear], when everything feels good.
- 02:16
After the bathhouse it usually lasts about a day and then ends. But now it is my ongoing state.
- 02:24
I feel calm and good all the time. Whatever questions, problems or situations arise, I deal with them calmly, even the most stressful ones.
- 02:36
This inner state that I had sought for many years through different practices came unexpectedly through working with Alexander and after the 40-day practice.
- 02:51
I also attended Bukvitsa with Alexander several times, and I highly recommend this game.
- 02:59
In just one or two sessions I received many clear recommendations about where to go next with my question. It concerned finding a way to realise my potential.
- 03:15
[The beginning of the phrase is unclear.] I received an actual to-do list of specific actions to take.
- 03:26
When I started taking those actions, unexpected situations began unfolding and things started falling into place.
- 03:36
So I highly recommend working with Alexander and what he offers: transformational games, his training and the 40-day practice.
- 03:51
You really can find a solution to all your questions in every area of life here, and get a powerful boost to keep moving forward.
Choose your next step
If spiritual practice interests you, explore the content and terms of the 40-day programme. You can begin with a standalone, non-medical text consultation for €30. Continuing afterwards is optional.
How the text consultation works · €30. Agree the practitioner, schedule and communication arrangements before taking part.
Can I expect changes on the first day, as Maria describes?
The testimonial establishes no such timeline for other people. Discuss your specific question, the boundaries of the work and actions available to you. Spiritual practice does not replace medical care or guarantee changes in external circumstances.