Fasting - how pure cocoa can support you

Fasting - how pure cocoa can support you

“The richest people are those who can do without the most.”
– Rabindranath Tagore

Have you ever fasted or consciously abstained from something for a long period of time?
Especially for earlier generations, Lent before Easter is an integral part of the annual cycle. A time between winter and spring, between retreat and new beginnings. Some people consciously abstain from sugar, alcohol, or digital media during these weeks. Others fast silently—inwardly, without anyone noticing.

But what remains after the renunciation?
And what do we actually gain when we give something up?

What we gain when we give up

In his book » What we gain when we renounce « , the psychiatrist and psychotherapist Christian Firus deals with the profound question of why renunciation in a society of abundance can be not a loss but a gain – for body, mind and soul .

For him , freedom , clarity , meaning , and health often arise when we consciously forgo superfluous things. In a world full of overstimulation, consumer pressure, and constant self-optimization, Firus invites us to look inward again . With great effect:

• Renunciation as self-empowerment: Those who say “no” to something often say “yes” to themselves.
• Less is more: Reduction creates space for mindfulness, real needs and connection.
• Fasting and conscious abstinence not only promote physical relief but also mental clarity .
• Spiritual practice: In many cultures, renunciation has been a path to self-knowledge and healing.

What fasting can mean today

These days, fasting has less religious significance. And for us, too, it's more of an invitation to find peace, to question our daily routines, and to live more consciously . It's not just about "not doing" something, but above all about how :
How do I eat? How do I consume? How am I connected to myself?

This modern approach to fasting also opens up new perspectives on what you can focus on instead: more conscious eating , slowness – and new rituals that nourish rather than exhaust.

Cocoa as a conscious alternative during fasting

In the midst of this question, how do we want to live, there is a plant that, like no other, can stand for conscious enjoyment , inner contemplation and mindful rituals : cocoa .

Especially in its raw, ceremonial form, cacao is more than just a beverage. It contains numerous natural ingredients that provide both physical and emotional support: magnesium , antioxidants , theobromine , and tryptophan (a mood-enhancing neurotransmitter precursor).

And unlike coffee, cocoa has a gently stimulating effect : It opens the heart, calms the nervous system, and invites inner reflection . Especially during Lent, ceremonial cocoa can be a powerful alternative to sweets, alcohol, or hectic routines. It not only replaces consumption, but also provides depth and presence.

How to turn your cup of cocoa into a fasting ritual

Here is a short guide for your personal cocoa ritual – easily done at home:

1. Prepare your cocoa consciously.

Use our pure cacao from Peru or Costa Rica. Warm it with water, avoid sugary milk alternatives, and stir gently.

2. Create a quiet space.

Find a place where you feel comfortable – perhaps with candles, music or in silence.

3. Smell, taste, feel.

Consciously perceive the scent. Feel the warmth in your hands. Drink slowly, without distraction.

4. Get in touch with yourself.

What's on your mind right now? What does your heart need? Let thoughts come and go – like in meditation.

Conclusion: What remains after the renunciation?

Perhaps it's time to rethink fasting . Not as a renunciation of good things—but as a conscious decision for what's essential .
Not less – but healthier, more sustainable or more connected .

Instead of simply skipping sweets, it can be more fulfilling to treat yourself to a nice cup of high-quality cocoa – consciously , mindfully , using all of your senses .

Such a ritual changes the focus:
from “I’m not allowed to do that” to “I’ll choose something that’s good for me.”

And perhaps the most important question is not what you have given up – but: What have you rediscovered?

Maybe your body is a little lighter, your head clearer, your heart a little wider.
Maybe you felt a new sense of yourself – in a simple moment with a warm cup of cocoa in your hand.

And maybe that’s exactly what it’s about:
Not about renunciation, but about awareness .
Not about lack, but about reconnecting with what matters.

Further reading:

Firus, C. (2021): What we gain when we renounce. Kösel-Verlag.