Engaged Dudeism?

[Reverend Al]

Reverend Al, thanks for your kind words but as everyone around knows I'm just a fucking amateur.

Then we're definitely compeers.  I'm hoping to make it to the finals, but to be honest many of my strikes are dumb luck and my toes occasionally slip over the line. 

[Hominid]

It's Friday, dude, mark it 8!!!

[Andrea Da Fino]

    

[Rev. RJ Dudemiester]

this was a mind-blowing thread to read.

i completely understand the impulse to be more engaged... the world has gone mad, and not many out there seem willing to say so in public or do much about, and those who do are berated and ridiculed.

and this whole concept of doing by not doing can seem like a really fancy rationalization for totally un-involved in our world and it's problems.

we can't fix most problems, but we can empower individuals to discover their inner Dude/Buddha, and thusly live a Dudeist life.
somewhere in the middle of the two extremes (evangelism vs inaction) is a Dudelike middle ground.
revgms seems to be thinking in the right direction- and the power that comes from being a growing group of like minded individuals can be leveraged to promote and manifest those kinds of actions that contribute in small but deeply meaningful ways.

i'm new her, and i've already posted a few posts where i point out that i would like to create some kind of meeting group in LA. that's the first step- meetings. real life gatherings, where local Dudes can collaborate on ideas and test them out in the real world. acts of compassion must be the Dudeist trademark, not preaching, or recruiting. but doing loving, groovy things for people who are suffering.
at least, that is my opinion dudes.

[Rev. Iconocclesiastes]

One thing to add is that when we discuss these various interpretations of what Dudeism is, we sometimes make the assumption that was DB is saying, or Rev. Ed is saying, or what m5 is saying is that THEIR interpretation and opinion is THE take on Dudeism. Rev. Ed's is more proactive, engaging, and socially responsible. We do indeed need people to produce. Then we need the slackers who buy what is produced. It's a rainbow; a combination of the various colours of Dudeism is what's needed, not a single interpretation that is THE only interpretation. Of course, all within the bounds of agreed upon principles and practices of a zen approach to life...

Make sense?

Damn straight, H-man!  One thing I've always said about Dudeism is that it's a fantastic philosophical melting pot.  Whenever I write an article for the DP I much prefer people to respond and chip in, because either there's something I missed, or something I never considered and it enriches the whole point.

Dudeism is not about one man's vision, or copying the life of one man, it's about people throwing in opinions and ideas around the spirit of Dudeism.  Listening to others and sounding out our own ideas and opinions can only enrich ourselves and each other.  As long as we're not shooting wide of the goal and bouncing off the realm of the undude, it's all good

The ol' Rev. Iconocclesiastes could not agree more, dudes.

[Bradypus]

Hi guys,

This is only one more opinion, don't know how right or wrong it is, tell me if you got an idea about it...

Dudeism can be a good or a bad reason to not think and act much.
If the mess around us is toxic and needs a fast reaction, dudeism can have negative impact on resolution attempts. To me thinking activism is undude is, just like, an opinion, which is against positive dynamism according to mine.

If dudes love nature why would it be undude to protect it if necessary ?
If dudes love individual freedom why would it be undude to fight totalitarianism ?

I don't wait for dudeism in my life to get engaged, the form of my icons wont change colors on my flag.
I want to use dudeism to live it the most peacefully I can, cause struggling can be bloody tiring and having a religion is made to help in such cases. Dudeism may be a good help sharing deep peaceful messages positive to my accomplishment in a funny and effective way.

[BikerDude]

I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention.

[Bradypus]

No problem I was just publicly talking to myself...

I would add : dudeism may help activists to don't get too exposed if things don't go the way they would like. It gives tools to accept things we can't change. But dudeism wont be a great help to act upon things we can change and doesn't help much to make the difference between each.

It's a bummer, but it's better than make people believe there's a ready made philosophy able to do so. That's a personal work and responsibility.

[Rev. Jimmy]

So far, I have looked at what we offer the world is simply living the Dudeist philosophy. Of course, this can mean many things to many people.
I have a few essays I've written exploring the concepts of TBL. Once I find that notebook (fuckin' Larry Sellers), I'll be converting it into a blog of Dudeist sermons.
I am with you that Dudeism should be something we do and not just something we talk about. As an ordained priest of Dudeism, I try to stay tuned in as I don't think that should be a meaningless title.

[Reverend Al]

...As an ordained priest of Dudeism, I try to stay tuned in as I don't think that should be a meaningless title.

I agree.  But at this point everyone seems to have a different idea--similar, but different--about what Dudeism is, or should be, which makes it almost impossible for Dudeism to be taken seriously as a legitimate religion or philosophy.

[Rev. Jimmy]

True. I think the square community sees us as just fanboys, like the Trekkies are to Star Trek.
For me, Dudeism sparked my interest in Taoism. I see Dudeism as a marriage of eastern and western philosophies, illustrated by the meeting of the Dude and the Stranger. It's like some kind of eastern thing, but it fits right into America.
Perhaps the whole point is to be "the man" for your time and place.

[Reverend Al]

True. I think the square community sees us as just fanboys, like the Trekkies are to Star Trek.
For me, Dudeism sparked my interest in Taoism. I see Dudeism as a marriage of eastern and western philosophies, illustrated by the meeting of the Dude and the Stranger. It's like some kind of eastern thing, but it fits right into America...

I think one of the things that confuses people is that we do take Dudeism seriously, but we also have a sense of humor about it and that gives some people the impression that we aren't taking it seriously.

Another thing that muddys those waters is the Lebowskifests, for which your comparison to Trekkies/Trekkers and Star Trek is most definitely accurate.  I think we get lumped in with that set of Lebowski fans in most peoples' minds and they either aren't aware, or don't recognize, that Dudeism isn't quite the same thing.  And that's cool...that's cool.  But that's just, like, their opinion, man, and it makes it more difficult for us to identify ourselves in the minds of the general public as something more than just costume-wearing, bowling, Caucasian- and oat-soda-drinking convention-attendees who happen to like the same movie.

[BrotherShamus]

I would largely agree that our primary contribution to the world would be to live the Dudeist lifestyle; therefore, lead by example. The problem with that lies with the fact that we are largely living that life in a private sphere (excluding friends, family and this-a-here forum). That's definitely a generalization but at least in my experience my Dudeism practice is pretty private. That's a good thing in some ways because it avoids the evangelical tendencies that I like to think Dudeism "actively" opposes.

However, I think it seems that the only ways in which we present even the idea of this lifestyle is through things like Lebowskifest, which seems like great fun, but as Rev. Al said, is not the same thing.

I'm just thinking out loud here, but it would be cool if we could find ways of making the Dudeist lifestyle a demonstration in certain contexts. Not so much of a political demonstration, but maybe find a way to show Dudeism as an alternative, using a public format that agrees with the philosophy, like sitting around on our asses as per usual, but in a public sphere.

Just a thought. Might be talking out of my ass. I also like revgms idea of providing chill zones for volunteers in crisis zones (just read the whole thread).

[BikerDude]

Get yer venue and we'll be there for the, what have you.

[Rev. Jimmy]

It's a real paradox, man. Religions tend to turn on themselves. I think it'd be nice to get together with other Dudeists. Perhaps we'd get together for bowling or tai chi. Perhaps we'd have a study group for the Port Huron Statement. There are so many ways you could go with it.
However, once a religion gets too organized, it's only a matter of time before someone lets power go to his or her head, starts treating objects like women and acting like a fucking fascist. So as much as I'd love to engage, I also fear what may become of it.