O-week is over and now it’s time to really get ready for the new semester. Time to regroup, focus and “centre” yourself for the upcoming challenges you’ll face on the path you’re taking this year.

As CQU chaplain Matthew Quaife-Ryan puts it, “It’s a good time to cultivate or nurture the sacred space that is within us all... Uni engages the brain – but we don’t want to disengage the soul in the process.” And a good place for students and staff to “engage” on the Rockhampton North Campus is The Interfaith Sacred Garden, a beautiful and secluded space of our own located on Rod Laver Road (the small internal road that leads down to the new sporting complex), just off the beaten path beyond the “temporary” mobile offices.

Chase the light breeze and listen for the wind chimes. You’ll be seduced by the incense and lured through the Sacred Gate by an inviting gold gauze curtain onto a meandering brick path. Suddenly, encounter the divine. “The garden,” Matthew explains, “draws its inspiration from the spiritual traditions of the East and the West. “The garden is an important place in many of the world’s religion: The Islamic Paradise is a garden, the Hebrew have the Garden of Eden, Christians revere the garden of Gethsemane, Buddhists and Hindus meditate and pray in gardens. Then there are the Zen gardens of Japan, monastery gardens of Tibet and so on.” With a small waterfall and pool, herb gardens filled with Rosemary, Lemmon Grass, bamboo screening and scented geraniums, it’s a space designed for personal and communal enjoyment. It appeals to all the senses.

“Every student, faculty member, and university staff should think of this as their personal sanctuary,” says Matthew. “There’s plenty of noise and information overload when you’re working at a university. Come here to the garden to listen to and enjoy the peace.

The Garden has benches to have lunch on and space to stretch or do yoga. At its centre, beneath a twelve-post pergola, is a Labyrinth, an ancient contemplative walking path. Consider taking up Matthew on his offer to guide you along the path.

The Garden is officially open from 9am to 5pm to coincide with Matthew’s office hours. But it’s always available and the gate is always open. Want more info on the Garden? Call Matthew Quaife-Ryan on 9285