Tag: meditation

+ Including 10% off code when you order through Australian Ceremonial Cacao!

I was first introduced to ceremonial cacao in Bali in 2020 (one week before the pandemic really took hold, phew). I was there on a Goddess retreat and fell in love with this special plant after the first cup. We did a ritual as part of our evening meditation and it was a beautiful and deep experience. Despite the caffeine, I also had the best sleep ever straight after. I have been using ceremonial cacao ever since to deepen my meditations and rituals, along with the health benefits.

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Cocoa vs Cacao vs Ceremonial Cacao: What is the difference?

I’m sure we have all heard of and likely tasted cocoa in the form of chocolate, right? So what are cacao and ceremonial cacao? Well, the difference between all three is the processing. They all come from the same tree but the way it’s made makes a significant difference.

Cocoa – Goes through processing before it gets to us. It gets roasted, ground, tempered, conched and refined sugar and additives are added. Then it gets to us.

Cacao – is the raw and pure form. It’s either lightly sun-dried or fermented with minimal heat. There is some heat to make it safe to consume but as little as possible. So it has all the good stuff without the additives.

Ceremonial Cacao – is the same as cacao, however, due to the ceremonial use (and if you buy the right stuff) it is respected at every step of the way. It is shown love and reverence at each stage of processing, is sustainably farmed and has a single origin.

Sweet History of Ceremonial Cacao

It’s important to acknowledge the cultural heritage of Cacao if you want to use it in your meditation practice and want to get the best from it.

Cacao was used by Amazonian and Mesoamerican cultures for many ceremonial rites and rituals. These cultures had a deep awareness and connection to the gifts, wisdom and medicine of the earth. The cacao bean was often referred to as a gift from the gods or the food of the gods, as it was believed to have mystical properties that allowed users to commune with higher realms. Although it is used in different ways nowadays, it continues to be used in spiritual rituals to gain spiritual insight and connect with ancestors, spirits, universe etc.

The Zen Connection: Benefits of Ceremonial Cacao on Meditation

Meditation Tip: the goal isn’t to empty your mind but to observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment, gently guiding your focus back to a point of reference, like your breath or a mantra.

We have all heard of the benefits of meditation like stress reduction, improved mood, increased self-awareness and better sleep. However, it is not that easy for everyone to practice meditation.

Ceremonial cacao is a potent facilitator for meditation. It is said to assist:

Heart Opening

Ceremonial Cacao is referred to as the ‘heart opener’ as it increases blood flow and oxygenation of the brain. This enhances connection and empathy, leading to a deeper and more heartfelt meditation.

Improved Mood

The Cacao bean contains compounds that elevate mood and decrease stress, creating a more positive and receptive state for meditation.

Increased Focus

As Cacao is a mild stimulant it can help to create a focus and attentiveness that can help maintain meditation.

Mindfulness

The preparation ritual itself can be a mindful practice that helps prepare for deeper meditation. Using your senses and setting intention during the preparation starts the zen before sitting down to start.

The reason this amazing plant can do all this is because of something called, Theobromine. Theobromine is a natural stimulant that works similarly to caffeine, however, it has longer-lasting effects and is more gentle (a massive plus to those of you who get the jitters on caffeine). Theobromine is also known to improve mood, enhance blood flow and even has diuretic and heart-stimulant functions. Due to its stimulating effects and mood-boosting properties, it helps to make ceremonial cacao the perfect assistant to help you deepen your meditations.

Sanctifying Your Sanctuary: Preparing Yourself and Your Space

Creating a sacred space to take full advantage of this beautiful ritual is a must in my eyes.

• Cleansing yourself and your space with sage, palo santo or incense can help to set the mood.
• Setting intentions is an important step to have a clear idea in your mind of what you are hoping to get from the experience and what you want to work through or reflect on with the ritual and meditation.
• Set up your environment to be calm and comfortable.
• Ensure you have everything you might need for minimal interruptions – have water, a journal, a pen, and even extra paper to scribble on or draw on if you don’t want to do that in your journal.
• Put away the technology! if you are using a guided meditation consider downloading it and putting your phone on airplane mode.
• Prepare yourself – do whatever you need to get in the right mindset. I often spend some time in nature and have a shower first if I really want a deep meditation.

Brewing Bliss: How to Prepare Ceremonial Cacao

Preparing ceremonial cacao is an art. Start with high-quality Cacao, gently heat with water, milk or a non-dairy alternative, and whisk to a smooth, frothy consistency. Add spices or sweeteners as guided by your intuition and the traditions you resonate with. You can also just have it with nothing. I often drink just the cacao in hot water.

Part of the ritual for me is also to use the same mug that is just for cacao. You don’t need to do this but I enjoy it and makes it feel more special.

Selecting Your Spirit Cacao: A Guide to Choosing the Right Bean

Choosing the right ceremonial cacao is very important. Look for ethically sourced, pure cacao from reputable suppliers. I use Australian Ceremonial Cacao – they use high quality and organic Peruvian strain called Criollo. They ethically source it by engaging in a sustainable and fair trade program to benefit the farmers and local community. This is so important to recognise the community and farmers from where this natural blessing is being shared.

Also if you decide to purchase from Australian Ceremonial Cacao please use my code MSL24 for 10% off your purchase. They also have a wide range of other products including handmade mugs, ceremony kits for kids and couples and cacao ceremony journals.

My favourite thing, as well as the cacao of course, is the Lucuma, a Peruvian fruit with a lovely sweet taste and a ton of health benefits.

Integrating the Cacao in Meditation

The ritual itself is up to you! I like to take deep breaths and set my intentions whilst I stir in the cacao then I sit in my meditation space and sip it while I think about what I want to achieve or what I want to know from the experience, manifest or write down goals. Then once I have finished I put everything down and put on my guided meditation I have selected to go with my intention. I use Insight Timer as it is free and has thousands of beautiful meditations to choose from.

Post-Ceremony Glow: Integrating Insights and Emotions

After you have completed the meditation and your cacao, it’s important to not rush back into your busy schedule. Give yourself time and listen to what your body needs.

I love to spend time journaling either in my meditation space or outside in nature. Just let whatever needs to, come out on the page.

Embrace the Path Forward

I invite you to step into this beautiful practice, integrating ceremonial cacao into your meditation to enrich your spiritual journey. Whether you seek deeper introspection, emotional healing, or simply a moment of serenity, let ceremonial cacao be your guide.

To support your first steps, I’m delighted to offer a 10% discount on Australian Ceremonial Cacao with code MSL24. Embrace this opportunity to deepen your practice and connect more profoundly with yourself.

Join our community newsletter for more insights and tips on living a spiritually enriched life. Together, let’s continue to explore the depths of our inner worlds.

May your path be graced with peace and insight,

Katelyn

Resources

Ceremonial Cacao (australianceremonialcacao.com)https://www.australianceremonialcacao.com/?ref=a5hqf3go

What is Cacao Ceremony? (ceremonial-cacao.com)

The Benefits of Ceremonial Cacao – MBF AUS (madebyfressko.com)

Cacao Ceremony: Ultimate Guide to Awakening the Soul and Healing the Heart – Sacred Taste