Madleen Alsabbah was called to the spirit of cacao in early 2021 through an undeniable voice in her mind. At the time, she was grappling with immense anger and grief, witnessing the displacement of her homeland’s people. As a first-born American Palestinian with citizenship in both countries, Madleen grew up deeply connected to her roots and the realities of a land marked by conflict.

Her childhood was shaped by crossing borders to visit family living under military occupation, where she witnessed the loss of family members and homes. Her father, too, experienced this displacement as a child, losing numerous homes. The events of 9/11 further complicated Madleen’s experience of identity. Returning from a visit to Palestine, she entered her third-grade year only to face a barrage of labels like “terrorist” and “Muslim, Arab,” words that left her confused, fearful, and isolated in her own identity.

This life path, Madleen believes, was chosen for her to learn self-acceptance, express herself fully, and transform the pain of her bloodline into a passion for uniting humanity.

When the spirit of cacao first called to her, Madleen knew nothing about it—neither its symbolism nor its intention. Yet, she felt compelled to sit with its spirit every morning for a month during her meditation practice, allowing herself to grieve the immense pain carried by her ancestors. During this time, vivid and heartbreaking visions arose: her grandmother losing a child, family members holding their dead relatives, and even a shocking vision of herself as a sniper preparing to shoot a family. These graphic images brought forth immense grief, and she gave herself permission to scream and mourn for the ancestors who never had the chance to release their pain.

By the end of the month, Madleen experienced a profound shift. She came to understand the purpose of pain, the karmic lessons of life, and the roles both darkness and light play in shaping our world. Yet, this transformation was not without challenges. During her grieving process, she found herself unintentionally causing pain to her partner at the time. Unable to continue supporting him as a partner, she had to release their relationship, adding another layer of grief to her journey.

Through this experience, Madleen began to deeply understand the heart medicine cacao offers—not just as a plant but as a profound teacher about life. She realized that life is a journey of karmic lessons where we both endure pain and, sometimes unknowingly, create it for others. These lessons, whether gentle or brutal, are meant to guide us toward growth, empathy, and understanding.

Madleen’s relationship with cacao has blossomed beautifully over time. It led her to meet her fiancé, who also serves cacao through his music, and to connect with a Costa Rican tribe who had suffered their own trauma—losing much of their tribe and cacao trees in a massacre driven by outsiders seeking profit from rubber trees. It also brought her together with Israelis, allowing her to serve cacao weekly alongside an Israeli-American woman during her time in Nicaragua.

Cacao has walked beside Madleen since the moment she heard its call, teaching her to honor life’s duality. It has connected her to both the joy, love, and creativity within herself, as well as her shadows, pain, and unresolved emotions. It has inspired her to integrate these forces with compassion and courage, transforming her understanding of healing into one of wholeness.

Through cacao, Madleen has learned that true healing comes not from avoiding the darkness but from embracing and integrating it. This integration creates space for deeper connection and transformation, allowing her to cultivate self-love and accept even the most uncomfortable parts of herself.

Her ceremonies are a reflection of this journey, offering a space for others to transform their challenges into inspiration, freely explore their emotions, and express themselves fully. Madleen’s work is driven by her passion for using her culture, identity, and the pain endured by her bloodline as a way to unite humanity and dissolve the illusion of separation. Whether in ceremony or beyond, she creates opportunities for others to face the emotions they may have long avoided, fostering healing and connection.

Madleen feels privileged to channel her personal and ancestral story into service, helping others transcend division and embrace unity. She is deeply grateful for those who have inspired her along the way, and she looks forward to meeting others who will continue to enrich this journey. Through her work, she invites others to experience the transformative power of cacao and the profound wisdom of the heart.