Navigating HIV/AIDS, Grief, and Acceptance

In this episode, filmed on location in Boudhanath, Kathmandu, I am joined by Dorje, an American Vajrayana practitioner born in 1947. Dorje recounts his childhood in the American South, his move to San Francisco in 1968, and his involvement in the early days of the gay liberation movement. He recalls the arrival of AIDS in 1981, the traumatic deaths of his close friends, and the impact of his own HIV diagnosis. Dorje explains his conversion to Buddhism in the midst of a chaotic and stressful life, his 25 years as an ordained monk, the power of Yamantaka practice, and his understanding of the spiritual path. Dorje also explores the deep relevance of the core teachings of Buddhism to his experience of the AIDS crisis, describes the rhythms of grief and death, and shares what he has learned about helping the dying. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep262-life-of-liberation-dorje Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Dorje’s upbringing 02:07 - Dorje as a boy 02:59 - Career aspirations and becoming a lawyer 04:16 - Arriving in San Francisco in 1968 04:38 - Involvement in the civil rights movement 06:28 Early days of the gay liberation movement 09:13 - The Cockettes 11:48 - Gay political organising in Atlanta 14:02 - Arrival of AIDS in 1981 15:21 - Deaths of Dorje’s close friends 16:10 - Dorje’s HIV diagnosis 16:45 - Stages of grief 18:50 - Dorje’s HIV related legal and political work 20:39 - Activism vs realpolitik 23:06 - Encountering Buddhism 25:08 - Reading DT Suzuki and Evans-Wentz 25:46 - Shamata in a highly stressful of life 28:29 - Drawn to Tibetan Buddhism 30:39 - The life of the Buddha 33:57 - Modern insulation from sickness and death 36:14 - The Buddha’s quest for enlightenment 39:18 - 4 noble truths and the core of Buddhism 42:26 - How to develop wisdom 44:10 - The spiritual path 47:38 - Ordaining as a Buddhist monk 52:12 - The 3 jewels of refuge 54:05 - Challenges of living as a monk 56:14 - Moving to Nepal 57:48 - Why were some people slow to recognise the danger of HIV 01:02:25 - Helping the dying 01:03:27 - The rhythm of grief 01:06:43 - Actors and magicians 01:08:42 - Facing his own death 01:10:01 - The power of Yamantaka practice 01:12:10 - Living with an HIV diagnosis 01:17:06 - Leaving monasticism and solo retreat during Covid 01:19:28 - Aspiration to help those newly diagnosed with HIV 01:23:19 - How to help those with a new diagnosis 01:24:10 - Side effects of medication 01:25:31 - Climate change in Kathmandu 01:25:42 - Hippy trail and changing fashions 01:26:35 - Experimentation with psychedelics 01:27:51 - Unsung heroes of civil rights 01:28:53 - Dorje’s Great Stupa kora practice 01:30:07 - Compassion and the goal of practice 01:31:33 - Kora around the Great Stupa 01:32:34 - Developing compassion for others … Boudhanath Interviews playlist: - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknwvU82dU487LhF_mF4AkGek&si=gFGJpi-fnLtxeyZ5 
… For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James