Why I Drink Cacao Everyday
Other than because of the obvious fact that cacao is delicious, there is another, more substantiating, reason that I drink cacao (almost) everyday.
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I was first introduced to ceremonial cacao when tucked away in the hillsides surrounding Lake Atitlán, in Guatemalan’s southwestern highlands. Mahadevi Ashram, where I spent five weeks studying yoga, hosted weekly kirtans; each opened with a sacred cacao ceremony. Spirit seekers from the nearby towns would join those staying at the ashram for music, chanting, and the conscious sipping of cacao — all hoping to get a little bit (or a lot) closer to the divine.
Before I had experienced cacao kirtan for the first time, I was a bit confused — not to mention skeptical. The others who had been there, or who had elsewhere partaken in a cacao ceremony, spoke of how cacao was a heart opener. Some claimed to have felt the cacao spirit move through them, really feeling that something divine passed through as they sipped the ceremonial-grade cacao and swayed to the sounds of drums intermingling with the accordion and sacred Sanskrit.
Yes — I was skeptical. As a holistic nutritionist, I knew of the benefits of raw cacao but wasn’t sure I would start telling my clients that “heart opening” was one of them.
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Before going to the ashram, I had reaffirmed to myself that I did not have to buy everything they would sell me. It was a self-saver, and in fact, helped me to be more open to what I would experience there. So, as the first Friday came around, I opened myself curiously to the cacao ceremony and kirtan to follow.
In the small common area of the ashram, close to one hundred people gathered, each lining up patiently to receive their small cup of cacao. Once cacao was in hand, each of us made our way up to the sacred space where kirtan would soon begin. Together, in silence, we held our cups to our hearts and then slowly raised them to our lips. I don’t remember what I whispered to the smooth, warm chocolate in my cup, but it was something along the lines of,
“Help me… to open my heart.”
Arjuna and Arpita led the ceremony and as the community began to chant, something came over me. Tears filled my eyes and I became undoubtedly consumed. During those few hours, I flowed openly — fearlessly — through all of my human capacity for emotion — ending up in a strange cloud-like space of bliss.
I felt divine. I felt connected. I felt committed to whatever was simmering in my cup.
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Now, I do not take this as proof that cacao was what opened me. Maybe it was the kirtan, maybe it was the coming together of all those people, maybe it was my heartfelt intention. Most likely it was some combination of all of these things. But regardless of what role cacao played in creating this lightness in my being, I had now made the link between it and the tearing down of the walls around my heart.
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I drink cacao now everyday as part of a reflective ritual designed to unravel the mind and reconnect with my heart and highest truths. Before meditation or thoughtful reflection, I hold my nearly-full, beautiful clay mug to my heart and allow my highest self to ask the cacao for its support and guidance.
Do I need cacao to access these deeper truths and to find answers? Absolutely not. Does it help? Yes, I would say it does. Somehow it does. Somehow, asking something beyond me for a little extra guidance relieves the mind that is trying madly to figure it all out. And it doesn’t hurt that what I’m asking also tastes divine.
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Perhaps one day I will ease up on my cacao consumption — but for now, as I am beginning to solidify my devotion to leading an intentional, purposeful, and connected life, I welcome the raw goodness into my life — into my belly and my heart.
I cherish it as an unwavering key; a way to unlock what’s hidden in my heart and soul.
