Milarepa Rangers ride again in Ponca
By Nick Hytrek, Journal staff writer | Posted: Saturday, May 24, 2008
Bob Johnson of rural Ponca, Neb., stands next to the steps leading up to the Temple of the Laughing Monkey, a Hindu temple he built on his property overlooking the Missouri River. Johnson has used the temple to meditate and practice yoga. It's also a gathering spot for his friends, who he'll host in their annual Nettle Soup Festival this weekend. (Photo by Nick Hytrek)
PONCA, Neb. -- As a hungry and thirsty college professor leading a group of equally hungry and thirsty students, Bob Johnson did what was necessary to score free beer and food at the Coors brewery.
On the spot, he and his students created their own organization so they could meet Coors tour requirements.
"When you go into the brewery as a group, they give you beer and something to eat," Johnson said. "To go into the brewery, we needed a name, so we christened ourselves the Milarepa Rangers."
Later in the evening, Johnson toasted the new group over drinks: "Long may we ride. Far may we ride. Far out may we ride."
Johnson chuckles at the memory.
"We consider ourselves pretty far out. We were a group that had different ideas."
This weekend, Johnson and the Milarepa Rangers will gather, as they have every Memorial Day weekend since 1975, for the annual Nettle Soup Festival at Johnson's home on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River.
Just how many Rangers will return is unknown. Johnson never really knows what to expect.
"I have no idea. Over the years they've spread out. They show up and usually bring friends."
Those friends often are inducted into the Rangers during a weekend that includes yoga, meditation, poetry readings, "and just enjoying each other's company," Johnson said. "We are open to some things that are interesting."
And of course, they'll eat a lot of nettle soup.
"I always make nettle soup," said Johnson, who retired as a professor of communication methodology at Wayne State College in 1986 at age 66.
A quick explanation about Milarepa and nettle soup, which both stem from Johnson's deep interest in yoga and Hindu and Buddhist practices: Milarepa was a Tibetan yogi who centuries ago lived in a cave, eating nothing but nettles. The green herb eventually turned Milarepa green.
When the Milarepa Rangers were formed, the group Johnson led was visiting the University of Colorado, researching Milarepa. They all shared a common interest in yoga.
"My interest grew as I was able to develop the ability to do some of the interesting movements and benefit from the practice," Johnson said.
That interest led the Mount Harris, Colo., native to build a Hindu temple on his land. Climb up the winding steps to the bluffs above his home and you'll find The Temple of the Laughing Monkey, named after the Hindu monkey god Hanuman.
"I was interested in yoga. I needed a place to meditate," Johnson said matter-of-factly of the wooden temple he built around 1970.
As you enter under a sign that says "Enter this temple seeking nothing and you will find bliss," you'll encounter candles and photos of spiritual leaders, including famous yogis and Jesus Christ. John Lennon's picture also hangs there.
Stained-glass artwork created by Johnson depicts the chakras, energy centers within the body according to Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. The stained glass comes from Johnson's enthusiasm for yoga, which he still practices to help him cope with the effects of Parkinson's disease.
"I keep thinking I'm going to be cured," he said.
Over the years, Johnson added to the temple, building a stage, fire pit and small amphitheater next to the temple. The stage has been home to events such as Indian dancing, poetry readings and other historical presentations that Johnson has made open to the public.
This year, he's opening Saturday's official nettle soup ceremony to the public. Anyone is welcome to come sample the soup, which includes nettles grown at Johnson's home, chicken bouillon and white beans.
It's a chance for Johnson, known by many in Ponca as "Dr. Bob," to share his passion for yoga and friendship. But most of all, it's that time of year when the Milarepa Rangers reunite and ride again.
"I look forward to it all year," Johnson said. "My students have been very kind to me. I love them and they know it."
Nick Hytrek can be reached at 712-293-4226 or nickhytrek@siouxcityjournal.com.
Nettle Soup Festival
Bob Johnson has invited the public to participate in the nettle soup ceremony at 2 p.m. today at his temple. For directions to Johnson's home, stop at ConCHAIRtino gallery, 111 E. Third St., in Ponca, Neb.
Johnson is also known as an accomplished artist, and his paintings and prints will be available for viewing and purchase during a public showing at ConCHAIRtino from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. True to the weekend festival, nettle soup will be served.
On the spot, he and his students created their own organization so they could meet Coors tour requirements.
"When you go into the brewery as a group, they give you beer and something to eat," Johnson said. "To go into the brewery, we needed a name, so we christened ourselves the Milarepa Rangers."
Later in the evening, Johnson toasted the new group over drinks: "Long may we ride. Far may we ride. Far out may we ride."
Johnson chuckles at the memory.
"We consider ourselves pretty far out. We were a group that had different ideas."
This weekend, Johnson and the Milarepa Rangers will gather, as they have every Memorial Day weekend since 1975, for the annual Nettle Soup Festival at Johnson's home on the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River.
Just how many Rangers will return is unknown. Johnson never really knows what to expect.
"I have no idea. Over the years they've spread out. They show up and usually bring friends."
Those friends often are inducted into the Rangers during a weekend that includes yoga, meditation, poetry readings, "and just enjoying each other's company," Johnson said. "We are open to some things that are interesting."
And of course, they'll eat a lot of nettle soup.
"I always make nettle soup," said Johnson, who retired as a professor of communication methodology at Wayne State College in 1986 at age 66.
A quick explanation about Milarepa and nettle soup, which both stem from Johnson's deep interest in yoga and Hindu and Buddhist practices: Milarepa was a Tibetan yogi who centuries ago lived in a cave, eating nothing but nettles. The green herb eventually turned Milarepa green.
When the Milarepa Rangers were formed, the group Johnson led was visiting the University of Colorado, researching Milarepa. They all shared a common interest in yoga.
"My interest grew as I was able to develop the ability to do some of the interesting movements and benefit from the practice," Johnson said.
That interest led the Mount Harris, Colo., native to build a Hindu temple on his land. Climb up the winding steps to the bluffs above his home and you'll find The Temple of the Laughing Monkey, named after the Hindu monkey god Hanuman.
"I was interested in yoga. I needed a place to meditate," Johnson said matter-of-factly of the wooden temple he built around 1970.
As you enter under a sign that says "Enter this temple seeking nothing and you will find bliss," you'll encounter candles and photos of spiritual leaders, including famous yogis and Jesus Christ. John Lennon's picture also hangs there.
Stained-glass artwork created by Johnson depicts the chakras, energy centers within the body according to Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. The stained glass comes from Johnson's enthusiasm for yoga, which he still practices to help him cope with the effects of Parkinson's disease.
"I keep thinking I'm going to be cured," he said.
Over the years, Johnson added to the temple, building a stage, fire pit and small amphitheater next to the temple. The stage has been home to events such as Indian dancing, poetry readings and other historical presentations that Johnson has made open to the public.
This year, he's opening Saturday's official nettle soup ceremony to the public. Anyone is welcome to come sample the soup, which includes nettles grown at Johnson's home, chicken bouillon and white beans.
It's a chance for Johnson, known by many in Ponca as "Dr. Bob," to share his passion for yoga and friendship. But most of all, it's that time of year when the Milarepa Rangers reunite and ride again.
"I look forward to it all year," Johnson said. "My students have been very kind to me. I love them and they know it."
Nick Hytrek can be reached at 712-293-4226 or nickhytrek@siouxcityjournal.com.
Nettle Soup Festival
Bob Johnson has invited the public to participate in the nettle soup ceremony at 2 p.m. today at his temple. For directions to Johnson's home, stop at ConCHAIRtino gallery, 111 E. Third St., in Ponca, Neb.
Johnson is also known as an accomplished artist, and his paintings and prints will be available for viewing and purchase during a public showing at ConCHAIRtino from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. True to the weekend festival, nettle soup will be served.
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