"That's just your opinion, man" is a great Dude-jitsu defense, and a famous quote from The Big Lebowski movie. But what about the Dude's opinion, man?
The Dude sees his ideas as a bunch of thoughts that have gathered together in the chaise longue of time, and have yawned and stretched their lazy-arsed way into a particular worldview that doesn't stack up to much.
And the Dude also knows that worldviews can be affected by lots of different shit that's come to light, and well, you know, as the Reverend Humphrey Bogart once said, "the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world".
But we can get very lost in our worldview, in our hill of beans.
Humphrey's a good name though, isn't it?
"You are probably right there, Dude. You are probably right."
The Dominion of Opinion
The Dude knows that opinions don't count for much.
They aren't worth wasting your life on.
So, what are opinions really worth?
Some folks, particularly those that are full of tension, are easily bent-out-of-shape, probably haven't had a shag for a while, and certainly haven't been passing around the sacred spliff of mellowness, they could go to war over a particular view.
Opinions can be troublesome because they are often rooted in our sense of self.
But the Dude is rooted in another place, a sense of no-self, where there is no self-belief.
He or she knows that where there is no self, there is nothing to attach to an opinion.
Life is more important.
From a haze of bliss, she would pass the pipe of peace and say "You're probably right there dude, you're probably right," while then admiring the funny shape of her toes, or how your eyebrows need a little trim here and there.
The moment would pass without resistance.
And that's something that much of humanity struggles to let happen.
Knowing that views are subject to change and that there ain't no point arguing the bollocks over something you'll think differently about in a few years, what the hell, sure, yeah, if it means that much to you, I freakin love the idea of "I Should Be So Lucky" becoming the national anthem of Australia.
"Bow to the Minogue. Respect where it's due, man."
And a few beers later, you realise what shit you were both talking about.
Less Talking, More Toking
So, the Dude won't be killing others in the name of his country. She won't be screaming her voice in the name of peace.
The Dude has seen through the weakness of thought, and noticed instead, the endless presence of peace through which thoughts come and go.
And that my brothers and sisters of life means we can let go of a whole stack of crap, and not care about any hills of beans, or what thoughts have got to say. And I feel quite chipper about that.
But that's an opinion, isn't it? Sure as hell it is.
And when you are like that, when you know that having thoughts is part of life, that opinions are going to happen but we don't need to listen to their blathering, well, you are likely to attract other peaceful siblings into your Dude-hood who share your vibe, are ready to jive and want to smoke from the chillum of life.
Nice one.
And for the record, I'm not suggesting that you need to smoke anything to be a Dude.
That's not the case here.
Nothing's fucked here, dude. Just do your thing. Be your authentic Dudeness.
I personally like the occasional herbal elixir but as I get older I prefer another elixir - stillness.
If you haven't grasped it yet, being a Dude is about how you are, and doesn't rely on what you do.
If you are addicted to drugs and need help you should visit your doctor/general practitioner. Not giving out advice here but let me make it a little easier for you... 1-800-662-HELP (4357). - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration USA
020 3317 3000 - Club Drug Clinic - UK
For the rest of the world - just type [your country] and "drug helpline" into your search engine.
Peace.
Rev. Thomo.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Tags Dudeism Blog Dudeism Beliefs Explain Dudeism Principles of Dudeism Church of the Latter Day Dude Ordained Dudeism Dudeist Priest Dudeist Blog Applying Dudeism The Big Lebowski Dudeism Clothing Dudeism Tshirt
__________________________________________________________________________________