The Dudeism Forum

I'm often asked what Dudeism is (because I proudly wear my Dudeist priest patch on my daily clothing  ) and I have found that most of the times, the Dudeism as a religion is misunderstood or even ridiculed and taken for a joke.

I usually explain it like this when people ask:
"It's a religion based on the fact that you must take it easy, man.. It's name and main influence comes from The Dude in the movie the Big Lebowski."
At this point I usually get some more questions, or people start laughing, or they look at me kind of funny and says goodbye.

So, how should one explain it without being seen as a junkey or a wierdo ?

OK, what is Dudeism to me then?
Well as I see it, it is clearly Taoism in it's essence and to be more precise it is the practice of the principle "Wei Wu Wei" (to do without doing),wich means that you never work against the nature of things and always let your intuition lead the way, always go with the flow and take things easy.
But it does not end there, Dudeism has influences from a lot of other great Dudes in history as well and of course The Dude himself. So it is (at least as I see it) a modern and westerniced form of Taoism without the magical mumbojumbo.

I have given this, quite a bit of thought, and I think that a better way to explain Dudeism and be taken seriously about it, would be this:
"It is a modern Taoistic sect based on wu wei, with influence from various great Dudes in history."

What do you think my fellow Dudeist priests, is it me that are completely out of my element now

You see I would really want to be taken seriously about my religion, since I myself take it serious.

Am I wrong

Well, I strongly believe that Dudeism is the right religion for our time and place, so I really would like to hear from you other dudes how you explain the religion for nonbelievers. I mean you would want others to realize the genius of Dudeism as well, don't you ? Gimme some feedback here man... 

There is actually allready a topic about this. If they think you're a junky or weirdo when explaining dudeism, then it's, like, their opinion, man! Just say, fuck 'em and go bowling!

Forum's a little slow-going this week, I think the boards are taking it easy!  But, now I've wrangled some time, let me sit down and pour out my thoughts for you.

Firstly, here are a few guidelines I think will help, choose to use or disregard as you see fit.

The first rule here is:  Do not be disheartened by these morons.  They came up and asked you, and you told them the answer.  That should not ruin your day man, it's their loss if they care enough to ask but not to listen, that's a pretty sad sort of person.

The second rule is:  Explain it as it means to you, not what you think it is as a whole (at least not from the get-go, wait until someone's hooked and then let them know of the possibilities).  Dudeism is a very interpretive religion.  It means different things to different people.  We all draw on what we like out of it, and we all are still pulling in new resources to enrich the ethos each and every day, via the forum and the Dudespaper.  It's a new, blossoming and evolving worldview that will get stronger over time as we keep adding bricks to the wall of our spiritual bungalow.

The third rule is:  Don't get too Lebowski heavy right off the bat.  If you start off with saying it's based on TBL, you'll either get loved or laughed at, because people will just assume it's all about a movie and miss the bigger picture.  As you've demonstrated above, Dudely Sage, you know it's not all about TBL, but it's just been realised through, so maybe downplay the part the movie plays in it.  I recently told someone I know, and didn't even mention the movie, just the edicts we try and follow and some of the notable Dudes in history we draw influences from (he's a dedicated and involved Christian, so he already knew how Dudely Christ was ).

So really, just explain what it means to you, and if they're still interested maybe throw in something about how it was realised through TBL and how other Dudes roll, and such n such.  There can be a lot to take in, you just need to toss them a bone and see if they bite first off.  And if they just laugh, laugh with them.  Shrug and say "whatever, man" and let them get on with their own lives, and feel free to keep on enjoying your own.

I always explain it as a Taoist, Slacker synthesis, using a character called "The Dude" from the Coen Brothers Film "The Big Lebowski" as a point of reference.

The character himself is merely an example of how the life is lived, much like various Buddhas in Buddhism provide insight and examples.

At which point their eyes glaze over and they attempt to change the subject.

I just say "it's all about taking it easy and going with the flow" ..... Along with the occasional acid flashback. :-p

Thank you for you?re wise words everybody. Now I feel a little wiser myself and know how to meet the outer world. Especially thanks to Ed Churchman for your good and thorough answer, you have enlighted me
OK, FuckinA so there is another topic about this question, I did not know that.
I will look in to it.

I see it as everyone on their own trails, now and then we meet at crossroads where interaction takes place, lived experience dictates how we react with one another, bearing the past in mind kinda helps abide those differences that some may find difficult to deal with, just being yourself can be more effective than vocally explaining yourself.
If it's not for them now they'll probably get the idea later, no rush.
Thats been the experience on my trail so far.

Quote from: Klaus Korters on March 11, 2010, 04:37:27 AM
, lived experience dictates how we react with one another, bearing the past in mind kinda helps abide those differences that some may find difficult to deal with, just being yourself can be more effective than vocally explaining yourself.

Ah, this is an excellent point Klaus, and one I'd overlooked.  Sometimes a Dudely attitude and way of being says more than enough straight off.

The reason I explained to the above mentioned person about my worldview was because a few weeks before hand he'd admired my attitude to life, and I noted that he'd be open to listen to the ideals of Dudeism if ever it came up again.

Just, be Dude, and that's half the battle won right there, the words you add to it should just back it up for the hard of empathising.

The Taoist axiom "The empty vessel makes the most noise."

And the Zen "He who speaks does not know, he who knows does not speak."

Quote from: meekon5 on March 11, 2010, 06:06:32 AM
The Taoist axiom "The empty vessel makes the most noise."

And the Zen "He who speaks does not know, he who knows does not speak."

Gourd ties both your axioms together, but thats like uh just um my opinion man

Dudeism, and this is just my opinion, man, is a faith dedicated to living in harmony with your situation.

Bowling is a good example. You throw gutters, you throw strikes. You try to improve your average. You roll with whoever shows up.

So, your car gets stolen? It happens.
Your friend dies? It's sad, but it, too, happens.
You make a little money, or lose a little money? Life, dude.

When you find yourself in a situation, you go with the flow. Do what is right, and you'll be fine.

Oh, and there's this movie, too.

Edit: corrected a typo.

What the righteous dude is trying to say here is, "the dude abides!"

sometimes shit happens and sometimes shit doesn't happen........if lifes throwing you a lemon.......make some fuckin lemonade out of it......relax chill out and dont let shit get you down because lifes way too short to be worrying about lemons

Why do lemons always get a bum rap? I'm tired of all this Lemonism, man. Fuckin' Lemonists, nothing changes.