During the second day of the monthly Zen meditation retreat we hiked up the mountain and built a small cooking fire for lunch. Here’s the quick tutorial we followed:
- Fire ring – find or build a safe pit / ring.
- Gather wood
• Tinder – dry grass, Old Man’s Beard lichen, etc.
• Kindling – small twigs and sticks.
• Fuel – thicker firewood to keep it going. - Prepare everything before lighting – fire is 90 % preparation.
- Build a cone (teepee) with the stronger kindling.
- Light the tinder nest with a fire-steel or matches.
- Nurse the flame – place the burning tinder into the kindling cone and add air / more sticks.
- Reinforce with fuel wood once flames are stable.
- Enjoy the fire – grilled cheese & Swiss Servelat never tasted better!
- Extinguish completely.
- Leave no trace – pack out all trash.
May this little bushcraft practice warm both body and mind. 🔥
The direct inquiry into the nature of the true self is the heart of our 3-day Zen Meditation Retreat in Switzerland. By stripping away distractions, we create the space to truly examine the nature of the self. We invite you to join us at Lambda Zen Temple to experience this path yourself.
