Osiris is the creative director of Asian Legacy Library and a long-time collaborator in projects around Geshe Michael Roach. In this interview, he shares how his path led from the film industry in Mexico to the world of Buddhist education and preservation, how the teacher impacted him, and why the work he does now feels meaningful.
- First Encounter with Geshe Michael
- Work and Purpose
- Learning ACI
- Practical Wisdom from DCI
- Controversies Around the Teacher
- Moments of Transformation
- Kindness by Example
- Key Moments – FAQ
- What does it mean to be a good person?
- Did it bother you that he was a monk with a partner?
- Is this a cult?
- How did he react when you first met?
First Encounter with Geshe Michael
Osiris first saw Geshe Michael in January 2011, during a DCI talk in Mexico City. He had been asked to film it and didn’t know anything about Buddhism at the time. He recalls opening the trunk, seeing someone in robes, and instinctively turning on the camera. That was the beginning of his journey.
Just days later, he visited Tepoztlán — a special place for him — and felt it was a clear sign to stay. “It was natural. A calling from the heart,” he says.
Work and Purpose
Today, Osiris works with Asian Legacy Library as a creative director and is responsible for marketing, branding, and video content. Before that, he had a career in commercials, music videos, and feature films — both in Mexico and the U.S. But everything changed when he discovered “value-based entertainment.”
“Cinema is a powerful tool. When paired with the right content and higher purpose, it can transform the world.”
For him, Dharma stories are the content he had always been looking for. The challenge is to find ways to share them with a broader audience without falling into clichés.
Learning ACI
Osiris completed ACI courses 1 through 13 in about a year. His favorites were 10, 11, and 12 on the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, and Course 5 on karma. He found some courses difficult without discussion — especially those on logic — and believes debates are essential to understanding deeply.
“ACI is like first aid. In an emergency, if you don’t know what to do, people can die. If you don’t know how to deal with life, it’s the same.”
Practical Wisdom from DCI
DCI teachings had a big impact on Osiris, especially because they address real-world goals like money, success, and relationships in a language that’s easy to connect with.
He recalls how Course 6 (“Peeling Your Addictions”) helped him see not just outer addictions like cookies, but inner patterns of thought. He also appreciated DCI’s use of vivid metaphors like “The Blue Fox” and “The Husband in the Kitchen,” which he even tried to adapt into a film.
Controversies Around the Teacher
When asked about controversies around Geshe Michael’s past — such as his relationship with Lama Christie while being a monk — Osiris answers clearly:
“I never cared. I work in media. I know how things can be presented to look one way or another. I always trusted my personal experience.”
He adds that many spiritual masters in history had consorts and that partnership can be an essential part of a person’s development. “What’s life without falling in love?”
Moments of Transformation
One powerful story Osiris shares is the making of the film The Diamond Seed, a tribute to his close friend Luis, who passed away during the project. Osiris finished the film alone, and at the premiere in Mexico City, 1,200 people came. Geshe Michael gave a talk.
“It was solid proof that what he shares has the power to change your life. You just need to click with it.”
That moment confirmed his life commitment: to support the teacher and to help others — just like Geshe Michael does every day.
Kindness by Example
Osiris believes that kindness and compassion are best learned not from theory, but by being around someone who embodies them:
“You copy people. That’s how we learn. And he’s been consistent for more than a decade — always kind, always giving.”
He recalls traveling with Geshe Michael: “If he’s not helping someone, he’s translating a book.”
Key Moments – FAQ
What does it mean to be a good person?
“He’s not only a teacher for me — he’s been a boss, a friend. More a friend than anything else.” (1:20:35)
Did it bother you that he was a monk with a partner?
“No. Since I was young, I read about great masters who had consorts. It didn’t seem strange to me.” (1:06:20)
Is this a cult?
“No. We’re not a cult. We’re just people trying to set each other free and have better experiences.” (1:18:30)
How did he react when you first met?
“I asked: ‘Can I call you my cosmic friend?’ And he said: ‘I like cosmic friends. Let’s keep it like that.’” (1:21:40)
Osiris’s story is not just the journey of a student, but the path of an artist who discovered purpose. Through his films, actions, and service, he helps preserve and transmit ancient wisdom to future generations.
“We’re taking care of the next generations by giving them these opportunities to learn these things.” (1:17:55)
