- Mikhail Mikhailovich, why did you decide to pursue psychology?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:Psychology has already been a part of my first education, otherwise it is impossible to become a professional film director. I graduated from Moscow Institute of Culture. But the knowledge that I have now is fundamentally different from psychology which is taught in an academic institution. I had an important meeting in Sofia in 1988, where I went to see one Bulgarian film director. It turned out that his wife already knew whom it was necessary for me to meet to become the master of logical, spiritual and emotional psychology that I am right now. Back in Moscow, some time after that meeting, I left movie directing and devoted myself entirely to the matter of my life (and it is without exaggeration) – science "Human Ecology". So, nearly twenty years ago, the first psychological centre was opened in Moscow. During practical work method of spiritual and emotional relief from fear was finally found. It is patented in Russia and Latvia. And it is possible to learn it only in my centres.

- What is its fundamental difference from other applied methods of health recovery?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:First, it focuses on the main source of all our illnesses and problems – emotions. They make the human mind incapable of thinking logically and make it impossible to see a way out of stressful situations. Second, method is based on “reading” information (without help of the patient) about stress from the past which caused illnesses and problems in the present. As an example, I will tell you about the employee of medical department from Moscow Patent Institute who asked to prove effectiveness of the method. She complained about chronic, long-standing abdominal pain. Medical examinations didn't detetect any problems. I told her the reason after I’ve read information: she accidentally left a cotton ball in the stomach of a patient when she worked as a surgeon 15 years ago. Following that, patient was on the verge of death, when his condition deteriorated rapidly. During emergency inspection a cotton ball was found and removed. Though everything turned out well, fear of punishment has caused harm – woman got frightened and fell ill. For that reason, I suggested her to recall the situation and to change information. Pains troubling her for so many years, have passed afterwards.

- She was probably anxious that a stranger revealed her medical mistake which she wanted to hide or even better to forget?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:Frankly speaking, she was impressed. But I must give ger a credit for not hiding anything when I asked her, though often at my consultations people don't want to remember similar situations, as they are ashamed of them. To begin with, you cannot hide information related to stress. And secondly, I look for the stress in the past, so that the person recovers in the present. That’s the main point, not a moral assessment of actions and situations. Pains have passed as soon as she was able to forgive herself. Woman remembered this frightful incident for many years and felt hurt, blaming herself for negligence. Chronic pains have developed as a result of her emotional overstress. She got better with the help of our session and (more importantly) forgave himself.

- You became Person of 2007 in the field of psychology according to the magazine "Faces" which is published by Artyom Borovik’s wife. For which achievements?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:As it is stated in the publication’s press release "for the promotion of a stress-free living based on forgiveness”. By the way, in the same year in Latvia the largest publishing house announced me as the author of the year for the book "Forgive and be healthy!"

- Today there are many writers who also write about forgiveness. How is your practice of forgiveness different from the others?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:In order to compare, it is necessary not only to read books, but also to know main points of these methods. I have neither time, nor desire to do that. Furthermore, I have a methodical practice since 1989, not a theory. But I want to say something else, forgiveness is the most effective cure for illnesses, but it is achievable only for the person with non-dogmatic mind. My students don't need to believe that forgiveness heals.They know how this mechanism works. They have knowledge because they study logic of health and can understand everything that happens to them on emotional level. Genuine forgiveness changes information about an illness, along with fundementally transforming the person himself. First, his mind becomes open to new knowledge. He starts studying nature of emotions which makes it difficult to forgive. Secondly, he transforms his stereotypical mind which is occupied by blame to comprehend the logic of forgiveness, or the logic of health.The purpose of it is not to be ill. Therefore, forgiveness that I teach in the centres has nothing to do with thinking briefly of doing someone a favour until the first offense. My forgiveness is a consequence of healthy logic and is experienced as long, as it is needed for the full recovery. A person is not vulnerable to any offense because it becomes part of the soul, helping it to withstand further negative emotions. It is in latest style to talk about healthy lifestyle but forgiveness is not a trend. People do not generally recognize it as a way to health, but only as a sign of weakness. Strong-willed personalities, who are able to revenge are liked nowadays. Although vengeance is covered up by "rectification of injustice", the essence of the matter does not change. Nothing but evil vengeance will be caused by revenge in return, inflicting suffering. Therefore, people must understand the true concept of power of personality. It is not being led by the emotion of revenge, but quite the contrary. If a person could acutally revenge but didn't do it, then we can say that he knows how to forgive. That means his soul is healthy and the body, as a consequence will not develop a disease. And that is a strong personality.

- What is the guiding principle of genuine forgiveness? Health recovery?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:Yes. But the essential part of the concept goes considerably beyond the physical level, as indeed, the meaning of recovery. It cannot be confined within limitations of the physical body which information, in fact, makes only 7% of all that exists within a person.

- You have discovered emotional drugs. What are they?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:It is the need of people to live over past offenses and emotional experiences. They either can't forget them, or forget by hiding so deep in subconscious mind that don't remember them. But the human body is made in such a way, that once it experiences fear which turns into long-lasting chemical reaction (and all other emotions, like offense, anxiety, envy, jealousy, etc - derivatives of fear), it gets used to it.

This makes a person look around for similar experiences in life over and over again, like the drug addict looking for a dose. So in 1989, I made the discovery that a human is an addict of fear. American scientists saw this process for themselves: cells receive such a huge number of neuropeptides, which are chemically produced as a result of excessive emotions and are subsequently divided into daughter cells, which want to absorb these peptides and nothing else.

Therefore, it is unavoidable for people to fall seek, being more offended and frightened more often. Their bodies cannot withstand strong neuropeptide attacks.

- One of the areas of your work – dealng with chronic fatigue syndrome. In the society sport is considered to be very helpful (person is preoccupied, turning his attention to sport, etc.) and in one of your articles it says that you don't agree with this theory. Why?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:It is not about my agreement or disagreement. Amateur sport is helpful, but it cannot solve a problem of dependence on fear which is the origin of a chronic fatigue syndrome. The more often a person frees himself from accumulated fear and resentment , by using psychological methods discovered by me in this area, the quicker he will recover from the syndrome. Physical exercises can only help to bring chemical toxins out of our muscles and the circulatory system, but not to prevent from occurrence of the new ones.

- What is your personal daily routine, do you do any sports?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:I run and swim but I do it with the certain intention– doing these types of physical activities not just for the health of the body, but mostly to work with emotions that I feel exactly in the same way, as everyone else. How to do it -is a very broad subject. And whoever is interested, can read about it in my books.

- - Could you please tell about your nutritional guidelines? By the way, what has happened first - giving up meat or founding method?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:Principles are simple. I only eat what is in our "genetically modified" time can be considered wholesome and healthy food: summer vegetables and fruits from our garden, fish from its homeland. I eat the same way, as all citizens of our country – products bought in a store during autumn, spring and winter. The main thing is to be cautious and careful when studying ingredients and expiration dates. About giving up meat - I don't eat meat, simply because I don't like it. And I don't like it from the young age.

- According to your theory “freeing the mind and consciousness from accumulated emotional experiences on a daily basis leads to the healing of physical illnesses.”Could you give an example of what exactly is necessary to do every day?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:It is not hiding fears and offenses from ourselves, that is, to stop lying to ourselves that we are not afraid, that we are strong, that we can manage. Not being ashamed to ask for help from people, who know how to work with emotions. When tooth hurts, we run to the dentist. When the soul hurts, you have to go to "Human Ecology". At least, we work in this market of services for more than twenty years.

- You promise a person resolution, for example, to such a problem as jealousy. Is it really possible to help him? It is considered that being a jealous person - is for good.

Mikhail Lezhepekov:If a person agrees with the diagnosis "jealous man" and is wiling to be treated for that, 90 percent of his success is guaranteed. The main thing is to know advantage that was there to be gained from jealousy in the first place. Revealing those advantages is the key to the release from jealousy.

- You are the coordinator of several "Human Ecology " centres in the world. It is a big responsibility and work certainly takes a lot of time. How do you deal with stressful situations personally?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:My work is my life, as I have already spoken about it. I cope with stresses using the same techniques, as I teach people.

- Where do you spend more time – in Moscow or Bulgaria?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:In Bulgaria, because I work in our center for the entire summer time, where people come for a holiday , to study and to receive treatments from emotional stresses. The rest of the time is divided between Moscow, Riga, Tallinn, Los Angeles, Berlin and other cities where there are either my centers or “Human Ecology” representatives, or where I am invited with lectures.

- Negative information comes from different sources throughout the day: TV, radio, Internet … Can your method help people who get deeply disturbed by news, or they just have to watch less television?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:It helps if they know my method. If not, then they really have to limit their viewing time.

- Does your family support you in your work?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:Of course, they do. My daughter, for example, has graduated from Sofia University and now works at the Bulgarian Ministry of Health. My wife has been involved with Bulgarian center "Human Ecology" and connections with the Bulgarian press for a long time. In Sofia she has recently organized presentation of my books which are published in Bulgarian language. Representatives of the European Union, who were invited there, got very interested in my method due to the fact that they are looking for an effective way to deal with depression, which takes the first place in the list of dangerous illnesses today.

- What are your plans for the future?

Mikhail Lezhepekov:My future is my work. As long as there is at least one person who is tired of being afraid of his own fear of life, my future is rather determined.