It has been quite a while since I have seen a movie that has
been so thought provoking and inspirational. Usually, I reserve Hollywood for the times
that I want to be entertained without a lot of thinking. That’s not to insult Hollywood; I have enjoyed
thousands of movies over the years but usually go to books for helping me gain
perspective about a situation or current political issue. This movie, however,
actually penetrated my subconscious causing me to have a dream that I
remembered enough to analyze this morning.
The dream and a Hindu scripture that I read in the Peace
Bible this morning helped focus the deeper message of this movie aside from the
obvious political issues having to do with a person’s freedom to choose the
type and kind of medical treatment he wants, especially for illnesses that the
current medical community is unable to treat successfully, and his/her sexual
orientation. The dream does not require a particular discussion because its
message was purely a personal one for me to use what I had seen to become a
better person. The Hindu Scripture bears repeating though, because what it says
about hate and its elimination are exactly what I saw in the movie.
Ron Woodruff, the main character is a homophobic drug addict
who lives a life whose only purpose is to ride the bulls and spend the money he
makes as an electrician for an oil company on alcohol, drugs and sex. That
lifestyle eventually leads to contracting the AIDS virus. At this time, the disease
was still very much connected to the male gay community reviving the already
deeply implanted hate that Ron had for the community. His situation unites him
with that group as Ron chooses to disassociate with the “guinea pig” treatment
of the doctors he sees and finds help in Mexico. Bringing the “illegal”
drugs consisting primarily of non-toxic vitamins, proteins and medications
pulls him into an intimate relationship with the very community he so hated.
His resulting love for his fellow sufferers is very apparent when his bi-sexual
business partner succumbs to the disease and the community comes together to
support Ron when he loses his fight with the FDA and IRS. Based on a true
story, the movie documents that Ron Woodruff lived for seven years with a
disease the doctors told him was going to kill him in 30 days. Who knows how
long he might have lived if he had been able to give up drinking? For seven
years Ron Woodruff worked alongside the gay community that he had once
despised, proving the lesson I read in the following Hindu Scripture.
Whoever
sees all being in himself and himself in all beings does not, by virtue of
realization, hate anyone . . .When to that wise sage all beings are
realized as
existing
in his own self, then what illusion, what sorrow, can afflict him,
perceiving
as he does the Unity?
Ism Upsanids
In 12 step groups there is a saying, “There but for the
grace of God, go I.” In the Christian Scriptures, the prophets caution against
judgment –“Judge not, lest ye be judged.”
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