During one of our nights in the Yoga Forest in San Marcos, Guatemala, we decided to participate in a cacao ceremony. I’d never had cacao before (much more raw, pure, and potent than hot chocolate), so I was pretty excited. The Yoga Forest owner’s husband, Jaya (a fantastic man with a ponytail), came to guide us on our journey.

We arrived at 7pm to one of the yoga studios, which was set up with all sorts of interesting instruments. We started with thirty minutes of group meditation and breathing exercises. Jaya told us to breathe in the sounds around us (countless birds, bugs, and other animals) and become one with our surroundings. Afterward, we drank the cacao. Absolutely delicious.

After collectively singing songs, we reclined onto our yoga mats and listened as Jaya played flutes, gongs, rain sticks, and even a massive didgeridoo. The didgeridoo was very exciting. He navigated it across the floor like a bellowing snake. Every time its head came near it felt like the whole world was rumbling.

After a couple of hours of strange noises and tingly feelings, the ceremony came to a close. As we sat up on our mats, Jaya told us to turn around and look at the lake. Volcán de Fuego was erupting and a massive electrical storm was taking over the sky.

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Everyone was very excited. We all started laughing. It was a magical experience as our ceremony concluded with the most spectacular lightning I’ve ever seen. We stayed up long past our bedtime to watch the sheets of electrons dance across the horizon.

The video doesn’t do it justice, but it’s the best I could do. My first cacao ceremony was a resounding success. I’m thankful for every day spent in the Yoga Forest.