Plants are Conscious Organisms

Recently, I’ve become fascinated with awareness. Not only is it the first step in true healing, consciousness has been equated to awareness in an abstract published in the National Library of Medicine in 2021. It goes on to say that both animals and plants are aware, and given the relationship between awareness and consciousness, plants can be described as conscious organisms.

For some, it’s no surprise that I’ve always been drawn to nature, gardening and tending to my indoor plants. On a similar, but opposite end of the spectrum, Psychedelic mushrooms and all the outpouring of research and documentaries have also been super intriguing to me considering my personal experience with them over the years. But, it hasn’t been until I’ve begun to study plant medicine by way of medicinal grade cacao that I’ve connected the dots on the impact of plant-to-human consciousness and the effect of their neurochemicals on the human body.

Cacao Has Psychoactive Properties

Back in November of 2022, I became certified as an Access Bars® Practitioner and then immediately went on a trip to Costa Rica where I’d spend five of the 12 days at a Kundalini Yoga retreat. One of the evenings of the retreat was spent in ceremony with the medicinal plant, cacao. Perhaps because of it’s more subtle psychoactive properties and effects on the central nervous system – and maybe because I was deep in the jungle with a WIDE OPEN heart – I was able to deeply connect with this plant and allow her to guide my inner knowing in a way I never have before.

Theobromine, a cardiovascular stimulant, lifts the mood and energy for an extended period, contributing to mental focus. Phenylethlamine (PEA) is most often referred to as the ‘love chemical’ as it facilitates brain chemistry often associated with the feelings we have when we are ‘in love’. It is also the molecule that supports the class of neurotransmitters that include dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Despite all the times I’ve eaten ‘dark chocolate’, it has never brought about the affects that the 100% ceremonial grade cacao did in the middle of the jungle!

Since then, I’ve felt a call to go deeper, utilizing this plant medicine as a tool for consciousness meditations, movement and a variety of other healing ways to connect with self and others. I’m experiencing a sense of calm inner knowing that is allowing me to move through life with more ease, joy and glory. I’m more present in my daily life, feeling playful and trusting my intuition.

Staying Grounded and Listening to Your Body

Many of you may have heard the term Earthing before. This is the Remarkable Science of Grounding which is to sync the body to the natural rhythms of the earth. It is essential to be connected to the earth in order to restore and maintain health. Going outside and spending time in nature, preferably getting your bare feet on the ground is an excellent way to regain balance in your energy fields.

This year I’m celebrating 20 years in massage practice, six years as a life coach and have only just begin my journey with Access Consciousness as a Bars Practitioner and now as a Cacao Practitioner. However, I’m learning and witnessing more and more with each client session the power of our consciousness and its relationship to awareness and healing. Your bodies have been speaking to me for over two decades and now I’m learning how to intentionally continue the conversation now that I’ve been more aware and practicing this with my own body’s consciousness.

Cacao is embodiment medicine.

So often, I’m encouraging clients to listen to their bodies. Massage feels good, yes, but it is also a doorway to massive physical body awareness.

Cacao is the vehicle to help heighten their awareness, be fully present and access their body’s inner wisdom.

She activates this remembering this, self knowledge which becomes a knowledge beyond ourselves – universal knowledge. She opens and clears our energetic channels, inviting us to get in touch with our emotions, gently and naturally releasing what is not what we truly be.

Here are a number of ways to reconnect with that divine intelligence within:

• Listen to a meditation, maybe like this one, to help you find your breath and connect with the earth’s energy.
• Go for a walk at a nature center, park or neighborhood without anything playing in your ears; just be with nature.
• Take off your shoes and sit in the grass on a sunny day, maybe even lay down in it! Focus on your breath – breathing in through your nose to a count of four and out through your mouth to a count of six.
• Schedule a session with me to have your Bars® run.
• Schedule a float at your nearest float center.
• Go take a yoga class.
• Join me for an upcoming Cacao Ceremony and/or begin a daily practice.
• Plant a small herb garden outside or perhaps a houseplant or three, spending mindful time and energy caring for them, speaking to them and being present.
• Put your phone down. LOL

Awareness begins just past your phone screen. In this crazy digital world we are now living in, let’s make it a point to connect to the consciousness of the organic matter in the world around us.

Whether you’re an existing client, a friend or family member or just someone who has stumbled upon this blog post by happenstance, I sure hope you begin to listen to what your body and your plants are telling you. Also, remember to play. Be playful with your thoughts, fears and judgments. Let them go quickly and if you want to learn more about those kinds of tools, let me know!

I also wish many blessings for you along your journey to awareness and healing.

xoxo,
Christy