Deep
in the forests
of the Amazon,
I met
the ancient people
of the trees.
The Indigenous souls
of the Earth.
Night fell slowly
beneath the canopy.
Darkness breathed
through the leaves.
And there
before the flames,
the ceremony began.
We moved
around the fire
like forgotten spirits
returning home.
The smoke rose
toward the heavens.
And Ayahuasca
opened its eye.
My name
was carried
into the wilderness.
“Chanda…”
The forest
called me.
The rivers
heard me.
The gods
of the Amazon
welcomed me
into their silence.
Then suddenly,
my eyes opened.
Ayahuasca
was the key.
And I
was the door.
At that moment,
the world changed.
The trees
began to sing.
The leaves
danced slowly
with the wind.
And the sky
whispered
the song of life.
The river
spoke healing.
The Earth
remembered us.
We drank
from the stars
like thirsty souls
searching for eternity.
And there
within the sacred madness,
we realized
we were gods
pretending
to be human.
Through Ayahuasca,
many worlds
stood before us.
Worlds within worlds.
Dreams within dreams.
When the sun rose,
we became magicians.
When the sun fell,
we became healers.
And sorrow
walked beside wisdom.
For knowledge
is beautiful,
but it also wounds
the heart.
On that sacred night,
I drank deeply
from the wine
of my soul.
And now
I understand.
Life
is a school.
And I
am still
the student.
Chanda Katonga is a multidisciplinary thinker and creator, born in Kalulushi, in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province. With a strong academic foundation that includes an MBA, Chanda bridges the worlds of science and literature with equal fluency. He is a dedicated researcher, accomplished writer, actor, and visual artist whose work often explores the profound intersections between spirit, story, and society. A lifelong student of Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism, Chanda weaves philosophical insight into his creative expressions, delving into themes of transformation, truth, and the unseen forces that shape human destiny. Beyond the page and the screen, he also holds a black belt in karate—embodying discipline not only in thought but in action. Whether through his poetry, performances, or scholarly pursuits, Chanda Katonga is a voice for those who search beyond the surface—for meaning, freedom, and light.