Meet Zen Bon JPC | Rogue Zen Monk

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zen Bon JPC and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zen Bon, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Kansas City, Mo. and there were so many trials that have contributed to the person I am today. When I was 8, I attempted suicide and was hospitalized. My father was abusive, and my parents were divorcing. I was diagnosed with ADHD and Bipolar depression. At the time I attended a Methodist Church and prayed for my feelings of self-harm to be resolved. I was very loyal to my father despite the abuse which was very destructive to my relationship with my mother, My father would die in a car accident when I was 13, it left me angry, lost, hurt and very confused. I had such a love to help others at the same time a pure hatred for myself. In fact, I would attempt suicide several more times and final attempt at age 24 would be life changing. I decided to put ego and pride aside and learn what it means to be happy, loving, compassionate and most of all Human. I began to explore everything and read everything I could about joy. I explored many career paths to learn about people and their feelings. Military, Police Officer, Bus driver, Pet Trainer, Matchmaker, just to name a few! In my many travels I would eventually meet my mentor who taught me Buddhist Philosophy. Not just about Buddhism but about how to question myself, how to learn my ” Why” and how to cultivate love and compassion in my life. You dont have to be a Buddhist to practice self-discovery but he just happened to be one. All the different experiences I have had, and taking the time to observe and listen, not only to myself but to everyone around me has shaped who I am today. The biggest impact in my life has been developing the skill to listen. There is so much to learn and discover when you intentionally take the time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a Zen Buddhist Monk who skates, creates mandala art in the sand and finds joy where I can. What makes me different is my beginning. I was diagnosed with bipolar depression at an early age with several suicide attempts. Clearly none of them successful. I became driven with self-discovery and learning how to be the best me. Much of that came from observing others in many situations. I traveled a lot and worked many different jobs, from U.S Navy, daycare director, nonprofit director, I created crisis lines, acted in a theater company, dating matchmaker and a Police Officer to just name a few. There are so many more jobs I tried! There are traditional paths to becoming a Monk which was not mine. I was mentored for 10 years before I became ordained. I was part of a couple temples before I realized my temple is where I am. It needs no walls, no set location. What I am most proud of is I am a survivor especially when it seemed my life was ending. Learning about myself, observing others is how I learned with time and practice I was able to rewire the programming in my mind that told me I was worthless, told me my life had no meaning. Being here right now, waking up today is what I am most proud of. None of this was easy, it was a long road with many obstacles and I practice daily through meditation, gratitude and most of all acceptance. My Brand is Be You, Be Rogue. There is a unique path to culitvate your wellness. So many times I sat hopeless in the dark wondering if I could make it another day sometimes another minute! My message is there is a way to your happiness, there is a way to live and life you feel seen, heard, and most of all filled with self compassion that creates waves around you. It is your path and I here to create space for others to find theirs. They call me the Rogue Zen Monk. Its because I took all the lessons taught to me by my mentor and in my life and created my path. Like Most Monks live in a Temple, I started that way and then decided my temple and sanctuary is wherever I am and wherever I go. This is soul freedom. My life is about being fluid and resilient. Life is in constant change, constant flux, they more fluid you become the more you stay in a state of flow. When you come to accept this, you experience a release like no other.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would start the morning with a beach walk and then grab some coffee at Woody’s in PB. They have good coffee, good food, great service and well priced. Plus you cant beat the view. I would have lunch somewhere on Convoy where there are tons of asian restaurants. I would finish this day with bonfire and sunset at Mission Beach. Day 2 would be an early rise to Coronado Island to draw some mandalas, breakfast at Night and Day cafe, their chefs work magic in a small kitchen. Grab my skateboard and tour through Coronado, the streets a wide and flat, makes it easy to get around.
Day 3 would be fun in the city, starting at Hash House, definitely bring the appetite. Skip over to play in Balboa Park, followed by dinner at the Underbelly in NorthPark
Day 4 is back to the ocean, exploring La Jolla shores, cove for SUP Paddling and kayaking.
Day 5 Lets get physical! going to be hiking torres pines,and drive up north to the beach town of Encinitas, of course driving up to 101 with random stops in Del Mar and Solana Beach but ultimately ending up at Moon light Beach to finish the day. Definitely going to the Bier Garden.
Day 6 Would be touring the shop and restaurants in Old Town followed by the Gas Lamp to end the day at Sea Port. Dinner reservations would be at NOBU this is an amazing foodie experience Japanese and Peruvian infusion.
Day 7 Early surfing in OB, Sunset at sunset cliffs,

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yes, I would like to give a shoutout to my Buddhist mentor, (who is not to be named) and my dear friend and brother Jack Abbott. I met Jack in 2018 when I was teaching a meditation class at the Rancho La Puerta in Tecate Mexico. He had created ” Made For Joy” all about teaching others through life experiences how to cultivate Joy in your life. Our conversation led to him inviting to teach at one of the MFJ events in Baja. It was a magical experience. Since then, I have worked with MFJ to bring joy to others in many ways, from Ted Talks to weekly Meditations online for people to just take time to reconnect with themselves.

I continue to work with Jack and Made for Joy we not only create these wonderful trips in Baja, we have created and Virtual Reality experience for people too! Imagine meditation or yoga underwater or on the moon! He has been a friend, a brother, a mentor, and someone I have learned so much from. Thank you Jack Abbott and the Made for Joy Family.

Website: www.roguezenmonk.com

Instagram: roguezenmonk

Facebook: Jacques-Pierre Cole and Made For Joy

Image Credits
rashaasfour.com for the picture on the skateboard Rasha Asfour