The Abide Abode - A Dudeist Retreat Center (Idea)

[ZoeAbides]

Let me preface this by saying this is a serious idea, and I'm looking for people and resources to help me make this happen (if the interest is there).  This is also open forum for ideas and suggestions.

For those not familiar with the concept of retreat centers, they are places where people go to immerse themselves in their particular belief system, to volunteer, to get away from their "regular lives" for a time, to study or take part in classes or workshops, to meditate, or to just be.  They are usually run by a staff of volunteers, some part-time and others full time residential volunteers.  Some retreat centers are more like for-profit vacation centers, others are non-profit (but usually still earn money but are still considered non-profit as any monies go directly into keeping the center going and/or paying stipends to residential volunteers).

So I officially propose: The Abide Abode, a retreat center (or centers) for Dudeists.

Now the hard part.  Where, how, what and who?  It would need to be large enough to accommodate several people at once, (lodging is often shared in retreat centers but occasionally rooms are "singles").  It would also need areas where classes or workshops could be held.  It would need a way to financially keep it going.  It would need people to run it.

I do suggest it be in a state where certain concepts in the Dudeist lifestyle are legal and welcome (no dry counties, legal cannabis, religious freedom, etc).  However, it should be a true retreat center and not a "flophouse".  It could be a building or buildings, a large house, hell even a big-ass nature property with yurts.

I'm at a point in my life where I have little to lose, and I'd be more than happy to uproot, relocate, and volunteer full-time for room and board, (of course a small monthly stipend would also be appreciated, or some other way to feed the monkey).  I have no idea how to make this happen, but if enough people are interested, I'm sure minds and materials could be put together to make it exist.  After all, didn't Dudeism itself come about this way?

Thoughts?

[BikerDude]

Sounds like a worthy endeavor.
Of course we could also start bowling leagues.

[ZoeAbides]

The retreat center would definitely have weekly bowling excursions, I should think.  An on-site lane would be totally bad ass.

If you meant "instead of", that's part of the problem I'm trying to address.  How many of us are near other like-minded Dudeists?  That's why I'm suggesting a place where Dudeists from all over could gather on a communal rug for a few oat sodas.  I can't speak for anyone else, but I live on Satan's anal polyp, otherwise known as Kentucky.  Being surrounded by reactionaries, bigots, and bible-thumpers is why I want to get the hell OUT of this Dude-forsaken place.  It's rather difficult to thrive in a community of one.

[TheMacDude]

I totally dig this idea, man. But, keep it simple. If you go into large acreages for yurts or big buildings you run into $. And, we dudeists tend not to do $. Allow me to suggest renting an abandoned church. Here in Portland, Oregon, there are tons of little churches that the Jesus folk left behind long ago for their suburban mega complexes. Many of these little churches have been renovated and can be rented for a nominal fee. Likewise, if you want to be up in the mountains, find a cabin or two. Renting is much more manageable for an early stage idea like this, dude.

[TheMacDude]

I'm still in the stage of learning about what others think of dudeness and abiding, and such; however, once I feel more comfortable, I'd be open to the idea of launching a nonprofit 501c3. The organization could not dictate a type of Dudeism to any Dudeist, but as an organization, it might help us manage money, receive donations, build monasteries or coordinate our retreats. What do you think? 

[Brother D]

Isn't that feeding a personal monk-y? The world us our temple, am I wrong? I mean, it might not be such a uh uh uh complex, y'know?

[TheMacDude]

Whoa, I just thought about this: a Dudeist nonprofit that coordinates a bowling tournament!

[TheMacDude]

Isn't that feeding a personal monk-y? The world us our temple, am I wrong? I mean, it might not be such a uh uh uh complex, y'know?

Tell me more. Are you thinking the organization would have to be minimalist? If so, I agree.

[Brother D]

 I am kinda hungover, so please forgive my blathering, dudes. I kinda see the world and life as a learning thing for life experience, it has so much to teach us, if the royal we takes notes. A global temple/ church is somethin that cannot be taken away or destroyed, unless we as a species fucks it ups. We are all caretakers of this little blue dot and it is our responsibility to do so. However, buddhists have their sangha/get together thing, so what about a dudeist mangha? Yes there are lebowski fests etc and hangin out with other dudes would be cool, i'm just not sure how a retreat would work. For instance, where would it be? I for one, don't have the bones/clams to travel overseas. Lotta strands, dudes.

[Pei Mei]

I am kinda hungover, so please forgive my blathering, dudes. I kinda see the world and life as a learning thing for life experience, it has so much to teach us, if the royal we takes notes. A global temple/ church is somethin that cannot be taken away or destroyed, unless we as a species fucks it ups. We are all caretakers of this little blue dot and it is our responsibility to do so. However, buddhists have their sangha/get together thing, so what about a dudeist mangha? Yes there are lebowski fests etc and hangin out with other dudes would be cool, i'm just not sure how a retreat would work. For instance, where would it be? I for one, don't have the bones/clams to travel overseas. Lotta strands, dudes.

I see where your going with this. In the retreat we have animal pens for petting!