Ahimsa
Marie Byles: A Spirited Life Online Exhibition
Ahimsa and its surrounding landscape stand as a testimony to its former owner, Marie Beuzeville Byles (1900-1979). Throughout her life Marie became known as a committed conservationist, the first practising solicitor in New South Wales, mountaineer, explorer and avid bushwalker, feminist, author and original member of the Buddhist Society in NSW. The four room pre-fabricated fibro and sandstone home was called Ahimsa after the term used by Gandhi meaning harmlessness.
Built by Marie in 1938, the small scale understated house fits unobtrusively into the Australian bushland. In addition to the house, Marie wanted to have a place on her land for groups to meet for discussions and meditation. The Hut of Happy Omen, which was designed as an open sleepout with bunks and a large sandstone fireplace, was later built in 1949.
In 1970 Marie bequeathed Ahimsa to the National Trust (NSW), which she helped in 1946 when she was the consulting solicitor who drafted the organisation’s constitution. Her decision to leave the property to the National Trust was based on her faith in the Trust to 
help preserve the native bushland around her home and help protect the surrounding reserves.
Marie died at Ahimsa in 1979. Today it is a place for quiet enjoyment and meditation, consistent with the philosophy of Marie Byles. The Trust honours its former owner’s wishes by providing a sympathetic tenant to care for Ahimsa, and leaving the Hut of Happy Omen and grounds open to visitors.
Facilities
Toilet. Kitchenette in the Hut of Happy Omen. Tap available for bushwalkers.
Activities
Bush walking, picnics, meditation.
Accommodation
Hut of Happy Omen open to the public for basic accommodation on request. Contact 02 9258 0126 ehengl@nsw.nationaltrust.org.au
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