Philip V. Starkman
Philip V. Starkman has over 40 years of experience in many forms of meditation. Twelve of those years were spent training in Asia. Aside from his teaching activities, he is also a psychotherapist in private practice in Toronto. In 2001, Philip founded the mindfulness meditation group Spring Rain Sangha. He now shares teaching responsibilities with Jim Bedard and Randy Baker.
Jim Bedard
In 1980, Jim 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.
Randy Baker
Randy Baker began practicing Zen meditation in 1977 as a student of Roshi Philip Kapleau. His Zen training included 10 years on staff at the Rochester Zen Center. After practicing Zen for 20 years, Randy took up the practice of Vipassana. He has since worked with a number of well known Western Vipassana teachers. Today, Randy offers a clear and direct approach to the meditation practices of Mindfulness and Loving-kindness.