Cacao is made from the edible seeds of the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao. These seeds, or “beans” as they’re commonly called, are the primary ingredient of chocolate and the only ingredient in 100% pure ceremonial-grade cacao. Cacao is harvested from colorful pods that grow on cacao trees.

Cacao is a native plant of South America, used by the indigenous people of this continent thousands of years ago, as evidenced by traces of cacao used in the area of modern-day Ecuador. The Maya and Aztec – societies that traditionally inhabited Central and South America – saw cacao seeds as food, but this plant and its fruits also held enormous symbolic significance. Access to cacao-based drinks, for example, could indicate a person’s status, and in Aztec and Mayan tradition, cacao was used in rituals, with cacao products attributed to divine origin and supernatural properties. Finally, South American cultures used cacao beans as a form of currency.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CACAO

Above all, cacao is a powerful spirit and a plant that opens the heart, allowing us to connect more easily and deeply with our heart and feelings, enabling introspection into ourselves and our existence.

Mood enhancer and mood stabilizer
Cacao contains anandamide, often called the “bliss molecule,” which binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, creating a sense of ease and happiness. Not only does consuming cacao improve your well-being, but it also combats mood swings by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.

Prevents premature aging
Raw cacao consumption not only improves skin quality but can also prevent premature aging. This is due to the antioxidants in cacao that protect skin cells from deterioration and help maintain a healthy, youthful appearance! Researchers have conducted tests suggesting that a component in cacao beans called theobromine may be more effective at preventing cavities than fluoride. This is because these compounds have antibacterial properties. They fight plaque while also hardening enamel, reducing the chances of tooth decay.

Enhances cognitive function
Flavonols are absorbed into the bloodstream when consuming cacao and accumulate in the hippocampus, the region responsible for memory and learning. These flavonols aid in the formation of new neurons, improve their functionality, and protect them from destruction by free radicals, enhancing cognitive abilities.

Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
High cholesterol levels can significantly increase the chances of developing heart disease, but fortunately, raw cacao can lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (good cholesterol). This is due to the large amounts of antioxidants found in cacao, which protect lipoproteins from oxidation or reactions with free radicals.

Sound and vibration can work wonders in melting away tension, leaving you feeling deeply relaxed, calm, and refreshed.
Some of the most common potential benefits of gong baths, sound baths, and sound healing include:

• Reduced stress
• Relief from anxiety
• Better and calmer sleep
• Release of emotional blockages
• Improved mood
• Enhanced focus
• Mental clarity
• Creative insights
• Deep physical restoration
• A profound sense of peace

The additional benefits are numerous. On a physiological level, heart rate and breathing slow down and come into balance during a sound bath, as the parasympathetic nervous system is activated. Some studies have even shown that nitric oxide (which regulates physiological processes linked to good health) increases in the blood.

When you are in an optimal state of physical and mental health, all systems are engaged, and your body functions harmoniously. Sound can be an effective way to reprogram your own vibrations into a more optimal state. For example, on a mental level, gong-like drone sounds can bring your brain waves to lower states (alpha and theta states) where healing and restoration can occur. If your mind is constantly overloaded (when your mind is predominantly in a beta brainwave state), you’re likely to feel stressed and overwhelmed.

If you can spend more time in a relaxed mental state, it has an overall calming effect on the mind and body. Conversely, when the body can enter a state of deep rest, it also helps the mind relax. When you are in a relaxed state, the chances of harmony and health are higher.

Considering all the benefits and elements involved in this event, I would like to conclude with a few important pieces of information.

Join us in a ceremony that combines the power of cacao and sound vibrations, creating a space for deep exploration of our inner worlds. Cacao, as a heart-opener, guides us into the present moment, teaching us how to love ourselves and the world around us.

In this ceremony, with guitars, flutes, chants, prayers, and songs dedicated to the spirit of medicine, we allow emotions to rise to the surface, freeing what might be suppressed or forgotten. Cacao and Sound Journey make a perfect duo that deepens the experience, helping us dive into the heart and discover ourselves in a new way – through direct experience, rather than seeking answers through words.

Various forms of cacao rituals have emerged through the blend of many cultures, and this is just one way to feel the richness of the tradition of this plant. We invite you to dive deep within and find the path to your heart, uncovering the love it constantly offers, so that with each breath, we can grow together and expand in all directions.

The participation fee is €25, with half payable in advance as a reservation, as places are limited.

With love,
Ivan Curandero

Please send all applications here 

Warm regards,
Ivan Curandero