Cacao & The Creative Process
Tips & ideas to inspire your creative pursuits with Ceremonial Cacao
A guest post by Christina Hladnik, co-founder of Inner Haven
The Art of Creation
We are always in a state of expansion and creation, whether or not we are conscious of it or not. Even
on a cellular level, we are constantly evolving and changing; new cells grow, and new hair grows; it’s a constant state of creation that is innate and natural to our human experience. When we choose to
create consciously, we can sometimes be met with “blocks” or a loud inner dialogue that tells us what we want to create isn’t good enough, worthy of being shared, or even possible to create in the first place. The human mind and ego have a funny way of protecting us from the unknown, which can
sometimes hinder what our souls long to create.
We each are born with the ability to create in our individual and unique way, which then adds to the beauty and creation of our world and human experience. Through the process of creation, in whatever form it takes, whether it be art, dance, song, cooking, etc., we journey into a sacred process that not only enhances our connection to our inner knowing but enhances our connection to Mother Earth and the collective consciousness of our planet.
When we allow ourselves to step into a conscious state of creation, we not only better our own lives but
the lives of those around us through witnessing our creation; the simple act of creating, sharing,
observing, and receiving can enhance our overall well being and bring us heightened states of mental
and emotional wellbeing. Simply put, when we create something, such as a piece of art, we are not only
connecting more deeply within ourselves, we positively impact those around us who witness and receive
the art piece as well.
“Making art is like giving a gift: evidence of your spirit and that you are here.” – Patty Mitchell
How Ceremonial Cacao Guided Me Back to My Creative Process
The creative process of painting and drawing has always been a way for me to connect deeper to my emotions and feel into my human experience. As a little girl, I was carefree in my artistic process and
created from a place of vulnerability and raw emotion. Over the years, as life experiences happened and
formal art training began, I noticed that I began to create art from a much different space. It came from a space of control, right vs. wrong, creating just to please the viewer or my professors, and I lost sight of the joy and raw vulnerability I had as a child. For the last ten years, I have struggled to reconnect to my inner child and create art from that space. When Embue Ceremonial Cacao came to my awareness a few years ago, it was just the tool I had longed for. It has supported me in reconnecting to my heart space to create art from a deep love of self and the creation process. It has allowed me to let go of the need to produce a set outcome and simply fall back in love with the creative process for the sake of creating.
When incorporating a Cacao Ceremony with your creative art process, you can connect deeper to the process and allow yourself to feel and connect with the materials you are using. With a heightened awareness and connection to the bigger picture of creation, we can slow down and take our time as we create, knowing that what unfolds is an expression of the divinity that lives within each of us. It is a beautiful way to honor yourself and the gift of creation we have all been given within our unique form of expression.
Suggested Cacao Drink Recipe
We suggest the following recipe for facilitating your creative process. Amounts are per person:
- 1.5 ounce of Ceremonial Cacao
- 5 ounces of water
- Dash of cayenne
- Sweetener to taste
Cacao Ceremony and the Art of Creation
Ceremonial Cacao has been used for centuries as a tool for spiritual and medicinal purposes and artistic inspiration. Combined with the creative process of painting, it can offer us a unique and transformative experience. It can enhance our ability to connect with our inner selves and express our emotions and thoughts through their art.
Here are a few ways in which ceremonial cacao can be incorporated into the artistic process of painting:
Idea # 1 - Setting Intentions
Before consuming ceremonial cacao and starting to paint, it can be helpful to set intentions for your painting session. This can involve reflecting on what emotions or thoughts you want to explore through your art or what message you want to convey in your painting.
Setting intentions can help focus your mind and create a sense of purpose for the painting session. It can also help us connect with our inner selves and gain a deeper understanding of our motivations and desires.
Idea # 2 - Connecting With the Senses
Ceremonial cacao has a rich and complex flavor that can be savored slowly, encouraging mindfulness and presence. By taking the time to enjoy the taste and aroma of the cacao, we can tune in to our senses and connect with the present moment. Connecting with the senses can also help us become more aware of our surroundings and the environment in which we are creating. This heightened awareness can lead to new insights and inspiration for our art.
Idea # 3 - Enhancing Creativity
Ceremonial cacao has been found to enhance creativity by promoting a state of relaxation and heightened focus. Theobromine, a natural stimulant found in cacao, can help increase blood flow to the brain and improve cognitive function. By consuming ceremonial cacao before painting, we may be able to access new ideas and perspectives, allowing us to create more freely and spontaneously. The cacao can also help us overcome creative blocks and self-doubt, allowing us to tap into our inner creativity and express ourselves more authentically.
Idea # 4 - Embodying Emotions
Through the consumption of ceremonial cacao, we can connect with our emotions on a deeper level. Ceremonial cacao can help us release any emotional blocks and access buried emotions, which can then be expressed through our art. By embodying our emotions, we can create more authentic and powerful art that resonates with others on a soul level. We may also gain a deeper understanding of our own emotions and thoughts, leading to personal growth and development.
Idea #5 - Fostering Community
Ceremonial cacao has long been used as a tool for social bonding and community building. We can foster a sense of community and connection by sharing ceremonial cacao with other artists and painting together. Painting together can also provide an opportunity for us to exchange ideas and perspectives, leading to new insights and inspiration for our art and creative process. The act of creating together can be a powerful bonding experience that fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose.
Get Creative Today!
Overall, the combination of ceremonial cacao and painting can be a transformative and powerful experience for all those wishing to deepen their creative process. By setting intentions, connecting with the senses, enhancing creativity, embodying emotions, and fostering community, we can tap into our inner selves and express ourselves more authentically through our creative process.
Christina Hladnik, Co-Founder Inner Haven
Christina is an Intuitive Artist, Reconnective Healing Practitioner, Inner Child Healing Specialist, Certified Cacao Ceremonialist and Self-Love Coach. She is passionate about reminding others of their own innate magnificence and strives to guide others on how to reconnect to their inner child, where she believes our true joy lies.
Through her raw vulnerability, creativity, and in sharing of her own personal healing journey, she has inspired millions worldwide on her social media platforms. Christina is on a mission to remind YOU of YOUR magnificence and joy
