Chuang Tzu and Dude Te Ching

[Dudelyflier]

So I thought I might begin with some words from a smarter feller than me,

"The fish trap exists because of the fish; once you've gotten the fish, you can forget the trap.  The rabbit snare exists because of the rabbit; once you've gotten the rabbit, you can forget the snare.  Words exists because of meaning; once you've gotten the meaning, you can forget the words.  Where can I find a man who has forgotten words so that I might have a word with him?"  Chuang Tzu

I ponder these and other wise words of those wiser than me in some hope of becoming wiser.  But these words lead me to the understanding that words don't make one wise.  Living in a way commensurate with the universe makes one wise.  Realizing this was what forced me to re-evaluate myself.  Was I living in harmony with all that is, or was I a human paraquat?  I discovered something really fucking interesting.  I was living as a little bit of both.  In some ways I was groovin' along with the whole what-nots of the great mystery, and in other ways I was being a paraquat.  The difference between the two was when I was in harmony I was abiding and takin' er easy.  When I was acting like a paraquat I was forcing my image on my reality rather than accepting things for what they are.  To truely abide isn't just about kickin' back with and oat soda or a Caucasian, but rather about being able to do that when you actually want to cram your beliefs down someone else's throat.  It is times like that I just say "Fuck it.  I'm bowling" and abide in the knowledge that no matter how screwed up the world is, whether I'm rolling gutters or someone is committing micturition on my rug, its not my job to fix it.  I only have to fix my little corner and not harsh another dude's mellow.

[RandoRock]

Wise words indeed Dude. The key to happiness is living the life you want to live, the key to being a Dude about it is doing it in away that doesn't effect the lives of others. At least that's how I've always seen it. Now don't get me wrong I am quick to voice my opinion on the issues but I make sure to leave them as just that, my opinions. I'm always hopeful that my opinions might be able to help someone see a different side of things but if they don't, well it's like you said man, fuck it lets go bowling.

[DaleT8]

Here,here. I couldn't agree more. Sure, we all behave in an undudely manner from time to time,but the key is to realize, adjust your behavior, and abide from there. Or, at least I hope it is.

[RandoRock]

Here,here. I couldn't agree more. Sure, we all behave in an undudely manner from time to time,but the key is to realize, adjust your behavior, and abide from there. Or, at least I hope it is.

It's impossible to follow the Dude without getting a little bit of Walter as well!

[Reverend Al]

It's impossible to follow the Dude without getting a little bit of Walter as well!

That's the thing--the Dude and Walter are the yin and yang of Dudeism.  Finding that perfect balance between the two--being both and neither at the same time--is the key.