About the Grove

About the Grove

Jacqui and Profth founded the Grove in 1991, creating a space for people with an interest in alternative lifestyles. The Grove is a part of and associated with many other like-minded communities and groups working towards social change.

Over the years the Grove has had many small alternative lifestyle weekends which are based on ConFest (Conference Festival) principles, we call these Grove Gatherings.

Over the past 30 years 1000s of people have shared and contributed to the Grove and the wider community. Some of the occasions have been social gatherings, weddings, school groups, women’s weekends, dance, yoga and many other groups.

People develop a deep connection with the land such that they have planted trees on their babies’ placentas and have spread ashes of their deceased loved ones. Because of this, we feel more custodians of the Grove, continually maintaining and nurturing the Grove making it available for all now and for the future.

Our aim is to foster a space that has people feeling connected with each other and to nature. We hope people leave feeling enriched and motivated to make positive changes in their lives that they might not have seen possible and to share and spread this feeling with others

The Bodhi Tree

It is said that Buddha attained enlightenment while sitting under a sacred Peepul Fig Tree. That tree called Maha Bodhi and the place it grew Bodh Gaya have always been much venerated by Buddhists. In the 12th year of the reign of great king Asoka (288BC). His daughter the Nun sangha Mittra took a cutting of the Bodhi Tree with much ceremony top Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. That cutting named Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is still growing today,

When the original tree was destroyed Jaya became the source of all the worlds Bodhi trees. In 1980 a cutting of the Jaya Bodhi tree was sent to Australia to be planted in the Thai Buddhist Temple. While going through quarantine the stem rotted but six small branches were saved.

Profth also had plants die in quarantine at that time. He was given one cutting to look after as insurance in case the others died. Profth’s plant was to remain in a flowerpot for 20 years becoming a bonsai before a spot could be found. Its home after this epic journey is now in the Grove. The perfect spot was found, high enough to be out of the frost and floods. Soil, stones, cement, and water had to be carried up to build the pot, with the help of many people. Its home is now located behind the toilet block (The Abbey) go to the right past the Gas cylinders then up the steps, follow the path about 15 metres.

‘Sit awhile in silence, meditate and bless the tree‘, it is very special’

The Labyrinth

Rob lavender created the labyrinth for Jacqui’s 60th birthday back in 2005. To celebrate we had a sacred journey with 60 people. When you stand at the beginning, imagine you are standing at a cathedral, high and wide. Before you enter think about an affirmation that aspired into your life, walk in silence and with gratitude.

The word labyrinth comes from the Greek labyrinthos and describes any maze-like structure with a single path through it which differentiates it from an actual maze which may have multiple paths intricately linked.

The labyrinth is the journey of the self to wholeness. It is in working one’s way through the labyrinth of one’s present circumstances that one comes to realize one’s purpose and a meaning for existence.