James Roland Hillcoat, known to many as Jaya, is a contemporary contemplative, minister, minstrel, and mystic, among other things…

Originally from Australia, he has spent the last 12 years based in Guatemala, guiding ceremonies, rituals, and retreats. He teaches an interspiritual approach to plant medicines, meditation, sound philosophy, and counselling, and currently serves as the spiritual director of The Forest Path, Casa Floresta, Floresta Atitlan, and Sound Ceremony.

Jaya’s spiritual path weaves across traditions—Santo Daime, Umbanda, Buddhism, Vedanta, Christian and Islamic mysticism, and the indigenous wisdoms of North and South America and Australia. He is a qualified Psychedelic-Assisted Therapist, an ordained minister, and is currently completing his Master’s in Divinity.

A prolific and dedicated writer and musician, Jaya has just completed his seventh poetry collection, Two Mirrors, and is finalising his forthcoming book, Walking the Forest Path, a collection of ceremonial teachings and transmissions. He has also compiled several robust songbooks for the Forest Path, as well as his own personal collection, with songs and prayers numbering in the hundreds.