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Why among the many choices of Ceremonial Cacao, we chose to work with Keith's Cacao? We tried many, talked to a few and finally arrived at a decision that sits in our heart very dearly. We couldn't be happier. Let us tell you why Keith's Cacao, Ceremonial Cacao and the reasons behind our choice Keith is THE Chocolate Shaman. He's the OG when it comes to Ceremonial Cacao. He first landed in Guatemala in 2003. His life journey and spirit guides led him to San Marcos on Lake Atitlan where he discovered his life purpose and passion. In his own words he had a visit from the Cacao spirit to go find out why chocolate why a deity to the ancients of that part of the world; the Mayans, Aztecs, Toltecs & Olmecs. At the time he started his search, the local shamans had no idea about Chocolate in a ceremonial setting. The anthropologists that lived near the lake had no reference of indigenous people that used Chocolate in a ceremonial or ritual. He searched the internet, asked around, started traveling in Central America for answers. And it became clear that this ritual had lost its lineage. The only traces of it left, was on ancient artifacts. After having his first cup of Cacao, from the local farmers across the lake from him, a light bulb went on inside of him. This was the birth of the new Cacao Ceremony. He spent months drinking this medicine. Understanding it, working with it personally, with his clients, and then came the groups where the official new Cacao Ceremony was born. Checkout this video where Keith talks about his journey. Our own journey with Keith also started on the same Lake where this new era of Ceremonial Cacao was born. We met him at his house in San Marcos where he sold us a few blocks. From the moment we walked in the house, we knew something was different. The way they were living their life, the way they welcomed us, the way the workers were happy and smiling (even among all the chaos), it was all a clear message. We're at the right place. This feeling of knowing that we had walked in on a special path was reconfirmed from the first time that we used Keith's product. It was different. More gentle but also somehow stronger. It was energetically very different. It wasn't until months later when we took courses from Keith that we understood why. So here the whys: #1 - Quality Keith's Cacao is %100 pure Cacao. A minimal amount of processing is done on the Cacao to make sure the highest grade quality. Because of this, all of the nutritional benefits of this medicine is preserved. Also the farmers that they work with have the farms inside a natural rainforest where the Cacao grows naturally in its best environment. No monocropping farms. All in lands of indigenous people where they have worked on the land for generations. The plant where the Cacao comes from is mostly of Criollo type. Which is the rarest and of the best quality Cacao beans. Only %5 of the Chocolate in the world is made of this plant type. #2 - Ethical Keith's Cacao is supporting +80 indigenous people's family from its production. It has had huge impact on the local community and thus is very respected among the people of that region. Keith directly works with the farmers and they are paid above the minimum wage of the area. #3 - Intentional Every Cacao that is sent out from the warehouse in Guatemala is blessed by Keith & his wife Barbara. This is just an incredible intention behind the work that they do. They believe in the energetic factor that goes into this medicine. Their intention is to spread the love & spirit of Cacao. In their trainings for their practitioners, they constantly emphasis on the intention behind the work that they do and invite all their practitioners to do the same. We couldn't be happier to find such an intentional community. We're Officially a Practitioner of Keith's Cacao We believe in the work and community behind this product and thus why we chose to work with them. If you like to try this beautiful product consider us your friend in this adventure. We're always here to help you with suggestions, hints & guidance on the personal and spiritual work of Cacao. If you like to order a block for yourself, please contact us.

Episode 2: Faraz Minooei Taking a moment to appreciate our beautiful community team Faraz has been a friend, teacher, mentor & a life coach to me and many. He is not only an artist but a great thinker. One who sees values & characters above success. His approach and dedication to his art and life has been an ocean of inspiration. I started taking Santur classes with him more than a decade ago. But a Santur class quickly turned into a deep friendship. A bond that goes beyond any. I have always been fascinated with how humble he is. For someone who has SO MUCH knowledge about music and life, he never portraits himself above anyone. If he ever got angry at anyone, next to that I would hear a tone of care and deep love. He approaches his students with care, patience and compassion. He pushes when he must and stays quiet when is right. A true artist, friend, mentor & teacher. He is one of the few folks in the Iranian community who so deeply cares about its culture and art. He has dedicated his life in progressing the Iranian art and is truly a master at the Santur and Iranian classical music. What I love about Faraz the most, is his gentle approach to be an example. To walk the path & not preach. What I have learned the most from him is to be a man of not success, but a man of values. Bay Area Persian Music Ensemble This is a new band shaped in Bay Area dedicated to practicing and spreading the sound the Persian Music. Its members are from the Bay Area and welcome anyone who is interested in practicing & participating. In the band currently are players of Daf, Tombak, Tar, Kamancheh, Nay & Santur. What I admire about this collaboration is the effort that's being done in order to showcase Iranian music outside of Iran and the dedication of its members to their practice and the hard work that it takes to keep such an ensemble together. Their first performance was on June 26th 2022 at the Community School of Music & Art. Bay Area Concert This was the concert that Faraz's students from the Santur Academy performed along with the new Bay Area Persian Music Ensemble that he has helped shape. I had the pleasure to perform with my Native American Flute.

Episode 1: Jill McDonald (Deep House Yoga) Taking a moment to appreciate our beautiful community team Jill has to be one of the strongest people that I know on this planet. In summary, she's just a badass. I've had the pleasure of knowing her for a few years now and every time I meet her, I take something special with me home. The first time I met her was when I was helping build my first official Burning Man camp (Porta Party). She always brought a good vibe and energy to everything she does. Whether it's behind the deck, building community, running her business or being a mom. This lady is a DJ, Yogi, Entrepreneur, Mom & etc. Jill started a new movement called "Deep House Yoga" combining her two favorite things in the world: Yoga & Music. About Deep House Yoga DHY is a global enterprise founded by Jill McDonald & is led by women. Its aim is to encourage people to explore yoga as a practice of well-being. DHY wants to build a strong community around yoga, movement, dance & playful interaction with the self and others. They combine music, movement, experiences, places and people to create a feeling of union in themselves and others. One of the biggest models of the organization is to give women a platform to DJ and teach yoga. They believe "we all practice together, we have fun, we get silly, we celebrate this thing called life." Join The Next Event It's been an honor for me to be part of this beautiful collaboration to bring more of the acoustic experiences of these events with my Sound Baths. At the next event in June 16th, I will have my full Sound Bath set including the Crystal Bowls, Gongs, Tibetan Singing Bowls, Flutes, Santur, Chimes and etc.