Muddy Ranch – An Amazing Story

Returning to Portland from Mitchell, there is a lovely dirt road short-cut from the Painted Hills to Antelope via the Muddy Ranch which has played a fascinating role in Oregon’s history.

Prineville Land and Livestock Company

The federal government poured troops into the area to pacify it for settlers and ranchers in the 1860s, and the 70,000 acre ranch had its heyday in the early 1900s when it supported large herds of sheep and cattle that roamed the Ochocos in summer and wintered at the Muddy Ranch. For a few years more wool left Shaniko rail depot than any other station in the world. This all came to an end in the 1950s when the summer range was sold, the land became overgrazed, the ranch was put up for sale, and the nearest town, Antelope, hit hard times.

Rajneeshpuram – Five year story that beggars belief.

In 1981, the ranch was bought for $5.75M by the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his cult. They planned to establish an “intentional community” and in three years turned the dusty valley into a city for 7,000 people; a city in the desert with townhouses, police, restaurants, a bus system, sewage plant, and a 4200-foot airstrip. Adherents flocked to the town, sold all their worldly goods and donated them to the Rajneesh who became famous for his huge collection of Rolls-Royces.

What the Rajneeshees did not do, however, was pay attention to any of Oregon’s land-use laws and were immediately embroiled in a conflict with their neighbours over what they were building. Bribery that would have worked in India did not work with local officials or 1000 Friends of Oregon who led the effort against Rancho Rajneesh and the cult then resorted to bio-terrorism, armed conflict, and arson against their opponents. The investigation into the bizarre array of criminal activities was the largest in Oregon history and eventually led to jail for many of the leaders and extradition of the Rajneesh to India where he continued to teach until his death in Pune in 1990. Ironically the Oregon Supreme Court eventually held that the incorporation of Rajneeshpuram was legal under Oregon law but this came too late for the cult that was, by then, broke, dispersed, or in jail.

Young Life – One religion replaces another

In 1991, the ranch was bought by the Dennis Washington family who failed to make a go of farming there and in 1999 it became the home a Young Life Christian camp with support from the Washington Family Foundation. Young Life was started in Dallas, Texas in 1941 by Presbyterian minister Jim Rayburn and now operates globally.

Unlike the Rajneeshees, Young Life recognised the need to engage the local community and, perhaps because of more closely shared values and beliefs, succeeded in getting Oregon law changed to allow their large scale residential operation on land previously reserved for ranching. In 2013, the Oregon legislature passed HB3098 that “Authorizes establishment of youth camp on certain lands zoned for exclusive farm use in eastern Oregon”. End of problem.

Then and Now

Looking at the photos of the Rajneeshees and the young Christians it’s hard not to conclude that there really isn’t that much difference in what they are trying to do – proselytise, harvest souls, spread their gospel.

The Rajneesh was asked for his Ten Commandments and, though he said he was against any kind of commandment he came up with a list “just for fun”. 

Personally, I prefer these to the ones being taught at Muddy Ranch today.

1. Never obey anyone’s command unless it is coming from within you.
2. There is no God other than life itself.
3. Truth is within you, do not search for it elsewhere.
4. Love is prayer.
5. To become a nothingness is the door to truth.
6. Life is now and here.
7. Live wakefully.
8. Do not swim—float.
9. Die each moment so that you can be new each moment.
10. Do not search. That which is, is. Stop and see.

Further Reading.

Excellent recent story in The Oregonian – http://www.oregonlive.com/rajneesh/index.ssf/2011/04/part_one_it_was_worse_than_we.html
Young Life – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Life
Rajneesh biography – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajneesh
Washington Family Ranch today – https://washingtonfamilyranch.younglife.org/Pages/default.aspx

Photos. Our group riding through – Rajneeshees in meditation, Welcome to Rajneeshpuram in winter, Rajneesh daily drive by, Rajneeshpuram tented town for a gathering of faithful (From the Oregonlive story) – Welcome to Washington Family Ranch – Creekside today with dorms, water park, and sports centre, Map of the two sides to Young Life camp  (From affiliated Young Life websites) – Water park and interior of a meeting hall (From the website of the architectural design firm)