Jay N. Forrest is an independent Buddhist teacher, philosopher, and writer who has spent the last 40 years studying religion and philosophy. He did his undergraduate work at Central Bible College and Berean College. He earned his Doctorate of Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Christian University. Jay has taken postdoctoral courses from Harvard University, Princeton University, and the University of Virginia. He is a Certified Meditation Teacher, ordained Humanist minister, and the author of over a dozen books.

Jay became a Christian in 1983 and was ordained as a Christian minister in 1988. He pastored churches in Wisconsin, Missouri, and Arizona. In 2011, five years after earning his doctorate in Christian ministry, he lost his faith. On April 11, 2011, Jay converted to Buddhism. Later he took the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts with Bhikkhu Samahita. He also joined the Albuquerque Insight Meditation Center and began a deep dive into the Buddha Dharma.

Jay was trained in Zen meditation by Rev. Brian C. Taylor, the former Rector at St Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church. He was trained in Vipassana meditation at the Albuquerque Insight Meditation Center by such teachers as Brian Lesage. He took formal classes on Insight Meditation with Sally Armstrong of Spirit Rock Meditation Center. He earned a diploma in meditation from Aura Wellness Center. 

Jay is a member of the International Zen Association, the Buddhist Society, the Spiritual Naturalist Society, the Clergy Project, and the International Society for Philosophers.