Insight Myanmar22 Aug 2023

Pabhassaro Bhikkhu

Episode #183: Sebastian Copija began his journey amid the mesmerizing mountains and bountiful nature of his southern Poland home. Through the years, he developed a strong interest in American and British music, especially heavy metal, yet there was also always the deep yearning for living a life of simplicity.

Fueled by an insatiable thirst for understanding consciousness, Sebastian delved into an array of wisdom, exploring Zen, Thich Nhat Hanh's writings, and NLP. And his encounter with an old pianist revealed the power of pure, open-hearted expression. However, Sebastian realized that the old musician’s joy was just tied to playing music, and Sebastian was looking for something more profound and lasting.

Sebastian started working at IBM, but left after a year to teach English in Thailand. Immersed in Thai culture, he found himself drawn to monastic life; he took robes, and was given the name Pabhassaro Bhikkhu. He embraced meditation and immersed himself in Buddhist traditions, with one foot in the Thai Forest Tradition and the other in the structured meditation of the Mahasi tradition.

“If that intention is very clear, if we know that we are practicing the path of renunciation… then those are tools to support, and to bring nutriment to the heart. That has been the most important shift in my way to see the practice, [not] trying to see which is better, which is worse, but how to really see oneself as a monastic, a son of the Buddha, and to see one's teacher as the Buddha….”

Pabhassaro Bhikkhu has since disrobed, and is Sebastian again, living back in his native country. His quest for inner freedom and unconditioned joy remains steadfast, illuminating the path for all who seek true fulfillment.

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