Ceremonial Cacao
Cacao has been cultivated and enjoyed for thousands of years, which is not surprising given its natural heart opening, mood enhancing, and energy giving properties. When working with cacao within a ceremony, we pay homage to the roots of ceremonial cacao and honor the cacao tree and other sacred trees. When we drink cacao intentionally, we connect with the tree of life and the networks and root systems that sustain us and all of life, thus affirming our interconnectedness with each other and all life on this planet.
Moon Phase Meditations
The phases of the moon have been observed and used to designate holy days, holidays, and sacred occasions in many cultures, for many generations. In honoring the moon phase, we can connect with our ancestors and with the rhythms of the night sky, no matter where we are in the world. I choose specific land and contemporary art, animals and natural environments, ancestral stories and myths from around the world, and other symbols to support the themes of each meditation ceremony. By turning to the night sky and listening inward, we can access our inner world whilst connecting with the larger world and cosmos.
mindfulness based stress reduction
Stress is a natural and normal part of life, it can be very useful and instructional. When we are feeling stressed, we can become aware of what factors are at play and adjust accordingly. The Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction or MBSR program is an immersive, experiential, and intensive 8-week course that teaches and empowers participants to access balance and stability in their day-t0-day lives.
The MBSR program was developed in the 1970s by Jonathan Kabat-Zinn, PhD at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center’s Stress Reduction Clinic. The MBSR course has been completed by thousands of people over the decades, and the MBSR methodology is the most scientifically studied and demonstrated form of mindfulness.
The MBSR program or course is accessible to people regardless of age, background, physical ability, and beliefs. It is designed to give everyone the tools to access their own internal resources through the breath, the body, and various mindfulness meditation practices so they are able to respond to and manage the stresses of life with more ease.