The Tao of Joy and Dudeism
The Tao of Joy and Dudeism are similar but different. Dudeism is a religion and philosophy founded in 2005 by journalist Oliver Benjamin. Its belief system is inspired by the 1998 movie “The Big Lebowski.”
The Path of Joy started for me with a hummingbird and a song over 60 years ago. I did not have a name for it in the beginning, but it has been a conscious path for me since I knew to “Stay Alive and Pay Attention”. see: My Philosophical Journey
To quote from the Dudeism website, Dudeism is an ancient philosophy that preaches non-preachiness, practices as little as possible, and above all, uh…lost my train of thought there. Anyway, if you’d like to find peace on earth and goodwill, man, we’ll help you get started. Right after a little nap.
The closest I have come to organized philosophies/religions that fit with my personal philosophy are Tibetan Buddhism and Taoism. Until I happened upon the Dudeism. Not only does Dudeism fit pretty well with my life philosophy it also fits with my belief that playfulness is vital to living an amazing and happy life.
My definition of a Pragmatic Idealist in my Happiness Recipe is; A Pragmatist accepts things as they are, not as they could or should be. A pragmatist is rooted in logic without attachment. An Idealist always expects the best possible outcome even when it seems unlikely and is rooted in emotion instead of logic. A Pragmatic Idealist blends these two seemingly opposing characteristics with Radical Trust, Non-Judgement and Non-Attachment into a singularly effective Way of Being.
I sit here and smile just writing about Dudeism, and if you have read my posts Play is Vital and Find Your Happy Zone, you have an understanding of why. If I feel like my eMotions are not in my Happy Zone, I can always just think, “What would the Dude do?” WWTDD
The following is part of The Take it Easy Manifesto from the Dudeism website:
THERE’S A RELIGION for its time and place…It fits right in there, helps us abide through all the strikes and gutters, the ups and downs of the whole durned human comedy. It really ties your life together.
And the religion for our time and place is Dudeism.
Of course, nihilists and reactionaries will probably dispute that—when they’re not throwing marmots into your bathtub or coffee cups at your forehead. That’s why you need to know how to respond when someone who is un-Dude asks you what the fuck you’re talking about when you tell them about Dudeism.
Now, it’s a basic tenet of the Dudeist ethos to just say “Fuck it,” or “Yeah, well, that’s just, like, your opinion, man,” when someone micturates upon our faith. But we’re talking about unchecked theological aggression here, drawing a line in the spiritual sand, Dude. Across this line you do not—also, Dude, “faith” is not the preferred nomenclature—“worldview,” please…
(Read the complete Take It Easy Manifesto here)
From what is Dudeism trying to liberate us? Thinking that’s too uptight.
From what is The Tao of Joy trying to liberate us? Judgment and Attachment. – Uptight Thinking
To what state of being is Dudeism trying to bring us: Just taking it easy, man.
To what state of being is The Tao of Joy trying to bring us: Contented Happiness – Just taking it easy, man.
By what means does Dudeism attempt do this? Abiding.
By what means does The Tao of Joy attempt to do this? Living in Your Happy Zone – Abiding.
I did not come across Dudeism until early 2022. The Tao of Joy and Dudeism are philosophical twins. The Tao of Joy is just without The Dude.
