What have you done in the name of The Dude?

[katie590]

Hey guys, I'm doing this project where I'm looking at what people like about The Big Lebowski and 'Dudeism', and what they do in appreciation for it - can you help me out? 

Its an awesome project that I get to do as a Film University Student (UK) but as a fan I haven't personally done anything too out there. Have you met any of the cast? Been to any events? Created any of your own tribute material? Care to share why you're a fan and what you've done/where you've been in the name of The Dude?

Thanks, man.

[meekon5]

This is a really difficult request from my point of view.

What I do here is very important to me because it's about testing my point of view against those of others that call themselves Dudeists. Testing to see if I have common ground.

I am part of the Dudeist Kiva group. But I would have joined that even if I wasn't part of the Dudeist site.

I don't do things because I am a Dudeist. As I've said before for me the Dudeist title is a convenience to describe myself for others.

I call myself a Dudeist because I see it as the best description of what my point of view has been for most of my life. It's not about doing things in the name of the Dude, I am a Dudeist.

So really your request for "What have you done in the name of The Dude?" I don't do anything in the name of the Dude, Dudeism is just what I do.

[DigitalBuddha]

Hey guys, I'm doing this project where I'm looking at what people like about The Big Lebowski and 'Dudeism', and what they do in appreciation for it - can you help me out?  

Its an awesome project that I get to do as a Film University Student (UK) but as a fan I haven't personally done anything too out there. Have you met any of the cast? Been to any events? Created any of your own tribute material? Care to share why you're a fan and what you've done/where you've been in the name of The Dude?

Thanks, man.

I abide. And post on this a here forum and admin here a little. Beyond that, I consume oat sodas and bowl.

[katie590]

Thanks, meekon5. I hadn't considered Dudeism in the sense of 'being' and not 'doing'.

Do you feel that, rather than The Big Lebowski creating a philosophy that people the abide by, it is something you could relate to as an already present mode of being/living?

In testing your views against other Dudeists and finding (or not finding) common ground, did you find a sense of community and collective agreement or gain a sense of individuality that you didn't feel prior to the film?

[Abideist]

What the fuck is dudeism.

[DigitalBuddha]

What the fuck is dudeism.

Well, dude, we just don't know. Perhaps this...............

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudeism

[meekon5]

What the fuck is dudeism.

Well, dude, we just don't know. Perhaps this...............

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudeism

[sarcasm]
By the gods that's it now we're an official religion, we have a wiki page, we've made it.
[/sarcasm]

[DigitalBuddha]

What the fuck is dudeism.

Well, dude, we just don't know. Perhaps this...............

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudeism

[sarcasm]
By the gods that's it now we're an official religion, we have a wiki page, we've made it.
[/sarcasm]

No, I think we'll be an official religion when we're mentioned on The Big Bang Theory.  

[Rev. Ed C]

Hmm, well, Dudeism isn't a religion based on and around The Big Lebowski, nor do we follow 'The Dude'.  In fact, THE Dude is a bit of a redundant term, like THE Buddha.  Much like Buddhists aspire to become Buddhas (enlightened ones), we aspire to become Dudes (limber ones).

The connect between Dudeism and The Big Lebowski is a fairly superficial one.  It's more of a case than a man who has studied Taoism and Buddhism as well as other eastern philosophy, connected messages from the film to a way of life that seemed to be a more modernised form of Taoism.  The character of The Dude was certainly of a more eastern mindset, you just have to look at his collection of books and his tai chi to see that, even if the deeper connections aren't apparent.

What we have here is something that's been realised through one of the Coen Brother's genius films, but takes on board so, so, SO much more than just a bunch of hairy guys and gals sitting around in dressing gown quoting the film.  Although, I'll admit, there does seem to be a lot of that sort of thing about... :/

The Big Lebowski connects people, culturally, but spiritually, it's that we are all Dudes.  We're free-thinking, laid-back, abiding, independent, good-willed sorts of folks who recognise that the dudely way is the way forward to find happiness for ourselves and others.  It's about that common ground, that connection and that exchange of ideas and philosophies to form the Dudeist worldview that Dudeism is really about.  Not merely a cult film

[Maltshake]

I took a nap today.

[meekon5]

Thanks, meekon5. I hadn't considered Dudeism in the sense of 'being' and not 'doing'.

Do you feel that, rather than The Big Lebowski creating a philosophy that people the abide by, it is something you could relate to as an already present mode of being/living?

In testing your views against other Dudeists and finding (or not finding) common ground, did you find a sense of community and collective agreement or gain a sense of individuality that you didn't feel prior to the film?

Personally I studied Yoga, Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, and Taoism at an early age. I was part of a Zen group at one time, and been involved with a Sufi group. Extensively blending Taoism and Paganism (neo-paganism) I acquired the nickname "Dylan" from friends of the family whilst a teenager, because of my extremely laid back attitude to everything.

For me the Dudeism title is a label to stop others enquiring further, it giving them something to use, though my mother does still refer to me as a Zen Warrior.

I don't think anyone really becomes a Dudeist. I think many of us have seen links or videos (the car one) and when we have looked at what is being said here realise we have been Dudeist for most of our lives. Just the fact we didn't have the label to use before.

As the article on wiki suggests I try to be anti-consumerist in my outlook, and do my best to be Eco-friendly.

The Taoism, the Paganism, and ultimately the Dudeism are expressions of my own dissatisfaction with the "major" Abrahamic religions and their lack of a balanced spirituality across the male and female principle (Ying/Yang). Also an opposition to what I considered was a monolithic, masonic based, misogynistic hierarchy that dominated the church and therefore society.

If you dig deep enough here you will find all sorts of flavours of Dudeism, from the Pagan, through Christian onto what I could term Atheist Dudeists.

There is a big adherence to the point of view "this works for me try it and see" rather than the one over arching idea that all must comply with.

You will usually find me shouting at someone or other in some corner of the forum about not being evangelists, not praying , and not venerating the Dude as a deity, but that's all my humble opinion, of course.

Or even playing games of Dudeist ten bulls.

It is a very important part of things (for me) to remember the humour. In line with the Laughing Buddha, holy insanity, holy fool concept (being child like not childish), I think a lot of what we're doing here is just amusing ourselves because the laughter is as important as anything else.

I know there was a lot of disappointment in the recent film of Dudeists that made all the American Dudeists look like they smoked too much dope then went out and shot things or blew things up. I personally thought it was set up for sensationalism and wasn't that representative of what we really are.

I assure you we would like to make amends for the point of view represented.

[BikerDude]

Does torching a J count?

[meekon5]

Does torching a J count?

But was that "For the Dude" or was it just for personal use (abuse)?

[cckeiser]

I like what Meekon5 said before...Dudeism is a state of Being, not of Doing. That really ties the whole philosophy together in my opinion.
I think if you look closely at the posts on the forum you will find we are all pretty much Type B none aggressive types, educated for the most part, and non-achievers pretty much washed up, washed out...or on our way there. We are bums who could have been Contenders if we were not so fuckin' lazy. We got some money, but not a lot; we all have computers with broad ban connections. It's not that we would not like to be wealthy and a success, it's just that doing so seems way to exhausting. We found a nice comfortable rut to wallow in...so why bother pushing ourselves to "Succeed" in the square world...we get by. We get by because we are pretty much intuitive by nature and instinctively know who and what to avoid...well...for the most part anyway. Sometimes our rugs do get micturated upon.
We didn't come here to be Dudes, we were all pretty much dudes one way or another before we just naturally gravitated to this place. We were drawn here by some inner voice telling us This is where we belong...low standards and even lower expectations.

What have I done in the name of The Dude?
I try not to be a dick, to do no harm, and to just like Abide the best I can.
And of course...bowling!

Of course this is all like just my opinion man.

[DigitalBuddha]

If a dude turns dudeism into a religion, I would say the same as a Zen teacher once said to one of his pious young students..."you stink of Zen."

That is to say that too much of anything sucks. Too many in and outs in the ole' duder's mind.

When dudeism gets overly complicated (and that could be different for each dude), and it becomes impossible to kick back and enjoy the simplicity of it, I would say a dude "stinks of dudeism." Nothing worse than a fucking pious dude.

That's just my opinion, man.