The teachings of various spiritual traditions are colorfully brought to life in Old Pond: the Teachings of the Elders, an unusual fable that resonates with a wisdom as timeless as it is universal.

After a devastating fire tears through their beloved homeland, three young friends set out on a journey to find answers to life's most compelling questions. With the help of the wise Elders from Old Pond, the trio learn vital lessons that give them the courage to cope with life's unpredictability. 

In 1980, Jim Bedard began practicing Zen meditation and soon after became a student of Roshi Philip Kapleau of the Rochester Zen Center. Jim practiced with Roshi Kapleau and his dharma heirs for the next 20 years. After completing his formal training in Zen, he spent several years practicing with senior Vipassana teachers in the Theravada tradition. Today, Jim offers a balanced, direct approach to practices that point directly to the heart of the Buddha’s teachings.