Welcome my dear friends,
I'm Joanne and this is a guided meditation for you to use when you do your own cacao ceremony.
Settle down comfortably with your cacao and allow your body to find a position of ease and support.
Close your eyes softly,
Or if you prefer,
Let your gaze fall gently downwards.
Take a few deep cleansing breaths,
Inhaling through your nose and exhaling slowly through your mouth.
With each exhale release any tension or worries you may be carrying.
As you continue to breathe deeply,
Become aware of your physical body.
Feel the gentle rise and fall of your chest,
The weight of your body against the chair or floor or wherever you are sitting.
Don't try to control your posture,
Simply allow yourself to be held and supported.
Notice any areas of tension,
Tightness or discomfort in your body.
Send a wave of gentle breath to these areas,
Softening and releasing them with each exhale.
Now while sipping your cacao,
Start to bring your awareness inwards,
Towards your heart center.
Imagine this space as a beautiful 12 petal lotus flower nestled within your chest.
With each inhalation visualize this flower gently opening,
Its petals bathed in soft warm light.
On the exhale feel this light growing brighter,
Filling your entire being with warmth and compassion.
As the light continues to grow within your heart center,
Allow yourself to feel a deep sense of love and appreciation for yourself.
Notice any inner words of criticism or judgmental thoughts that might be coming up for you.
Observe them with gentle curiosity and then send them away like passing clouds.
Instead focus on the beautiful and delicious goodness and beauty that resides within you.
Remember a time when you felt truly loved and accepted for who you are,
Perhaps it's a childhood memory,
A moment of connection with a loved one or a personal achievement that filled you with pride.
Bring this memory closer,
Allowing all those feelings of love and acceptance to wash over you once more.
Now imagine these feelings of love and acceptance raiding out,
Outwards from your heart center.
See them filling up your entire being,
Overflowing and extending out towards others.
Visualize those you hold dear,
Including family,
Friends and loved ones.
Send them beautiful waves of love and acceptance,
Wishing them well-being and every type of happiness.
Now send this love outwards further,
Encompassing your community,
Your environment and all living beings.
Watch as you see the earth being bathed in this radiant light of love and acceptance.
Become aware of the interconnectedness of all things and know deep in your heart that you are part of this vast and beautiful web of life.
As you hold to this space of love and connection,
Gently shift your awareness towards the cacao you have in your hands,
Feeling its warmth as you sip,
Spreading through your body,
Its gentle energy awakening your senses and opening your heart.
Let the spirit of the cacao guide you inward.
And as you continue to sip,
Perhaps you see yourself standing at the edge of a glorious,
Lush rainforest,
The air thick with the scent of exotic flowers and damp earth.
Hear the birds' song,
Singing loud and insects buzzing.
Cacao trees rise majestically around you and their leaves shimmering with an otherworldly light.
As you step forward,
Feel the soft earth beneath your feet,
The magical energy of the rainforest radiating all around you.
Walk deeper into the forest and you are drawn towards a clearing bathed in golden sunlight.
In the centre of the clearing stands the most magnificent ancient trees,
Its branches reaching towards the sky like outstretched welcoming arms.
Feel a sense of peace and reverence as you approach this powerful being.
Lean against the tree's trunk,
Feel its knobbly rough bark grounding you in the present moment,
Allowing yourself to connect with the beautiful wisdom of this tree,
Its spirit intertwined with the spirit of cacao.
Perhaps you receive a message,
A feeling or an image that holds personal significance for you.
Receive these messages with an open heart,
Trusting the guidance offered by the ancient tree.
When you feel complete,
Gently thank the tree and begin your journey back along the path out of the rainforest,
Carrying these amazing feelings of peace,
Love and connection you have experienced within you.
Return to your physical body,
Feeling reconnected and grounded.
Take a few deep cleansing breaths,
Wriggle your fingers and toes and move your body a bit to reawaken your physical senses.
And when you are ready,
Slowly open your eyes,
Bringing the insights and experiences of this journey back into your daily life.
Remember the love and connection that you have experienced within your heart centre and that it resides with you always.
Carry this light within you,
Allowing it to guide your interactions,
Your words and your actions throughout the rest of the day.
May you continue to cultivate self-love and connection in your own life and share this love with everyone that comes across your path.
Thank you Mama Cacao for this beautiful medicine you have gifted us.
Namaste
