Patrick began practising Buddhist meditation in Sri Lanka in 1976. Back home in Australia, he joined the Sydney Zen Group (now the Sydney Zen Centre) in 1977. He practised with the group until 1980, when he went to Hawaii for two years to continue his Zen study under Robert Aitken Roshi of the Diamond Sangha. He has recently returned to Zen study, guided by Paul Maloney, an apprentice teacher in the Diamond Sangha.

In 1982 Patrick began travelling through Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and Nepal, living and practising in monasteries and ashrams, and visiting holy places associated with Buddhism and Hinduism. A major influence at this time was Christopher Titmuss, through his winter retreats in Bodh Gaya. Patrick has recently renewed his connection with Christopher through the Insight Teachers Circle of Australia (ITCA), and regards him as a mentor.

In 1984 Patrick left India to visit Myanmar where he met Sayadaw U Pandita, then the head monk at Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha (or Mahasi Centre, as it is known in English) in Yangon. This was a major turning point for him as he began intensive practice of satipatthana vipassana (insight meditation) in the Mahasi style, with U Pandita as his primary teacher. At this time he met John Hale who also, over time, became a primary teacher for him.

Back in Australia, in 1985 Patrick became a founding member of the Buddha Sasana Association of Australia (which now owns and operates the Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre), and helped bring Sayadaw U Pandita to Australia for his first teaching tour. He also began studying Sanskrit. In 1986 Patrick returned to Myanmar and ordained as a bhikkhu (Buddhist monk) at Mahasi Sasana Yeiktha under Sayadaw U Pandita. He continued intensive insight meditation practice and began the study of Pali. In 1987 he moved to Thailand, where he continued his study and practice. A major influence at this time was Ajahn Buddhadasa of Wat Suan Mokh, in southern Thailand, who inspired him with an interest in paticcasamuppada (dependent arising) that continues to this day. He also began to train in insight meditation with Sayadaw U Janaka of Chanmyay Yeiktha during this period.

Disrobing and returning to Australia in late 1989 as a layman, Patrick studied Sanskrit at the Australian National University and in 1994 obtained a B.Lit. in Religious Studies externally from Deakin University. During this period he began teaching meditation. In 1995 he returned to Myanmar for six months of intensive insight meditation practice, mainly under Sayadaw U Janaka.

From 1996 to 2000 Patrick studied for a Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies at the University of Queensland. He researched dependent arising and its relationship to meditation practice, and taught courses in Buddhism and eastern meditation traditions.

In 2000 Patrick dropped out of his studies to become a full time dharma teacher when he was offered the position of Resident Teacher at the Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre. He held this position for three years.

Since then Patrick has worked independently as a full time dharma teacher, teaching retreats, seminars and workshops around Australia. In accordance with Buddhist tradition, he lives on the dana (gifts) provided by his students.

Patrick’s teaching is informed by his background. He teaches in the lineage of Mahasi Sayadaw, seeking ways to bring this practice to a contemporary Australian context. He emphasises the need for a theoretical understanding of the Buddhadharma as a support for practice. Only with the mutual support of theory and practice can we begin to understand the depths of the Buddha’s teaching, and so apply this teaching to our lives.