Nele the Nuchu & the Third Step

[Tomas]

Seven years of age, the pressure was on, the good Monsignor was testing us to insure we were religiously oriented enough to receive the sacrament of Confirmation and Holy Communion.. A smart kid, I had the catacism memorized, ready for any question..He through me a fast ball and I battered it out of the park....easy..He asked me to make the Sign of the Cross and I fouled it up like Chief Justice Roberts administering the Presidential oath...I did the right shoulder first...I thought he would flunk me but recovered fast..I told him I was a lefty..and that seemed to do the trick.

In College I had 4 years of Catholic Theology and minored in Philosophy, in the Thomistic tradition. What I did not know at the time of graduation, I was a flaming atheist and didn't even know it.

Intellectually I had all the answers but what good is it to an alcoholic who is incapable of putting it all into practice...The word religion is derived from the latin word “religio”..meaning “link back to”..but as a practicing alcoholic, I linked back to nothing...I called myself an Existentialist..my personal definition:To do what I wanted when I wanted, irrespective of the question of morality..if it satisfied my prurient taste, it was justified. So I was an educated conditioned Catholic with no belief...no faith a fatalist. The acknowledgment of God in my daily affairs non-existent.

Coming into the doors of AA, was the finish line...a race won out over the undertaker. My faith began to be restored through the fine example of the people in the rooms who helped me stay sober. As I placed my faith in the people it began to grow...I was happy, I felt a sense of being alive...In a silent moment I looked at the steps printed on the wall with the realization I should have been doing this all along...That my friends was a spiritual awakening.

I had no desire to go to Church..in fact I even adopted a belligerent attitude toward the church...It failed me...but AA didn't..I felt a presence that no Church could spiritually enhance or duplicate...I became a Spiritual Snob.

What I found was the Third Step of AA. I found a God of My understanding, a God that dwelled within me...and if I used the steps as a guideline..this God was immediately there to answer my needs, and even some of my wants, if I worked for them.

Over the years my understanding flourished, I would shake my head over historically, all the blood shed in the name of religion..in the name of God..How could this be...The answer of course simple..Those in power forced their beliefs on others..never considering that God was within all of us..he's in me and there is no debate...nor is there any debate with other interpretation..I'm connected and that's all that counts in that regard. I'm at peace, even fascinated with how others find God. But historically, that was not the way organized religion saw it.

Recently I made landfall and set anchor offshore this very primitive village off the coast of Panama. Here residing in the San Blas the Kuna Indians and their culture. As I got closer I observed all these bamboo huts clumped together..I noticed some on the hill ridge concluding those probably are the wealthy ones who made the best real estate deals... the high rent district. I couldn't be further off base. Those huts were where they buried their dead..I'm not completely stupid...with a respectful reflection, I realized their sense of reverence for those who had gone ahead. The married woman all wore these colorful wrapped skirts, very sexy leg bands and colorful accessories. They have no lights, no electricity..cooking over open fires..They are physically small the tallest maybe 5 feet 4 inches..The women I found to be very attractive...except I don't like nose rings..

What to me made me attracted to these people was their spirituality...their sense of calmness, friendliness, their warm smiles... They had that glow about them..I could see the work of God in each and every one...Whenever I pulled a balloon out of my pocket in front of a young child..I was instantly rewarded with love, gratitude and laughter..particularly when my six feet one inch frame collided with the upper door opening...To think that western European culture was so ignorant to try to convert these people to their own self righteous beliefs..

My anger with History has been tempered with the understanding of reality. Organized religion may be termed Orthodoxy... It plays a central and necessary role in the world's mainstream ..We often hear the term the World's great religions..perhaps meaningless to many and most alcoholics..certainly to the Kuna Indians in my estimation.

But what about the Pope, what about the Catholic religion using that as an example....We hear all these shocking stories of the clergy..We judge even rightly...in many cases, further feeding our own spiritual snobbery.

Did you ever join a Gym...You look around and see all these people in their attempt to get and stay physically fit..Some we observe are pretty good at it, judging by their appearance.

For decoration and inspiration, we see these poster sized pictures of musclemen and woman who have obviously spent a lifetime or a good part...working out to look like that..

That's how I view the Pope. He is a spiritual muscle man who is leading a force for good of over one billion people..These types of institutions called Orthodoxy are needed in the world to effect good..Of course you will have problems in an institution when it is so big..and of course these problems become magnified, because that's what the news media love to cover.

My point. I have the highest respect for Orthodoxy..I am comfortable in my own beliefs, tolerant of others..Fittingly one of our quotes fits perfectly..Live and let live.

But what about Nele the Nuchu...where does Nele fit into the picture.

Nuchus are small sacred statuettes usually about 15 inches tall and act as a link between the physical and spiritual world of the Kuna. The statues are believed to be alive and every Kuna owns one. There are many different types, some have a stronger spirit while others are weaker. Some are good and others are bad. They mystically represent the owner but some have a character of their own. Nuchus are made from a hardwood like purpleheart The Nuchu plays a central role in Kuna spirituality, medicine and religion.
And..Who is ...Nele...The medicine man or shaman “Nele” is a powerful important personality capable of accusing anyone of harmful sorcery...according to custom.

While visiting the Kuna community of Ustupu a Kuna woman offered me an authentic Nuchu...She told me the Nuchu's name was Nele..who is now prominently displayed on the vessel. He's quite big at 23 inches...Does Nele have magical spiritual qualities?...You bet he does...He makes me smile...when I look at 'em... and God is a sucker for a smile.

The third step is a wondrous step of exploration..don't be afraid to explore..When I'm at my spiritual best I see God and his wonders all around me..particularly in the eyes an hearts of others. I am so grateful that I found the third step of Alcoholics Anonymous, apart of me for many 24 hrs... and continuously growing in my explorations.

PS: I wrote this while filling my 200 gallon water tanks on my boat.. A task requiring patience..LOL..

Tomas
January 24th, 2009

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ty Tomas
lov it!