Jim Elkin graduated from California State University Fullerton in 1978, with a BA in linguistics. He moved to New York City to do graduate work in linguistics at Columbia University. In 1981 he began working as a computer programmer and worked his way up to Vice President at JPMorgan Chase, where he led a team of technology specialists, while acting as a project manager for special projects. Frustrated with the stress, he entered a certification program at Tri-State College of Acupuncture where he earned a BS and an MS in acupuncture in 2000. A few short years later, he left the bank and started his private practice. 

Jim began his studies in Tibetan Buddhism in 1985 with Sonam Kazi. He met Tulku Sherdor and began his studies with him sometime before 2005.

Jim is currently acting as a director of logistics for BWI.