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The Abide Guide: Living Like Lebowski
A commercial flop in its initial release in 1998, The Big Lebowski has since emerged as a cult phenomenon complete with an annual fan festival, midnight movie screenings, and even its own religion. Now the founder of the Church of the Latter-Day Dude has brought together his own prophetic insights along with the advice of his top disciples to show readers how they, too, can lead a more relaxed, laid-back life based on the ways of Jeffery "The Dude" Lebowski.
The Abide Guide is a self-help resource that believes The Big Lebowski is more than a movie; it’s a way of life. Packed full of tips and far-out facts related to the movie, The Abide Guide holds the answers to all life’s questions by including moral and inspirational life lessons from key scenes in the movie, the seven habits of highly lazy yet totally successful Dudes, and great Dudes from history who changed the world without trying. Now when life throws a gutter ball, it’s easy to just ask, What would the Dude do?
The Abide Guide is a self-help resource that believes The Big Lebowski is more than a movie; it’s a way of life. Packed full of tips and far-out facts related to the movie, The Abide Guide holds the answers to all life’s questions by including moral and inspirational life lessons from key scenes in the movie, the seven habits of highly lazy yet totally successful Dudes, and great Dudes from history who changed the world without trying. Now when life throws a gutter ball, it’s easy to just ask, What would the Dude do?
254 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
92 people are currently reading
386 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 21, 2012
so, really i only read about half of this book. the first half was interesting enough, i liked the breakdown of the movie through the eyes of the people that wrote the book.
but when it broke down into the whole philosophy of living like lebowski and interviews with women about whether or not women can be "dudes", well it became a waste of time around there. but, thats like, just my my opinion, man.
fortunately, what i read didnt take anything away from the movie.
but when it broke down into the whole philosophy of living like lebowski and interviews with women about whether or not women can be "dudes", well it became a waste of time around there. but, thats like, just my my opinion, man.
fortunately, what i read didnt take anything away from the movie.
August 15, 2011
As an active member of the Dudeist community I've been waiting a while for this book to be finished and released. I was a little apprehensive before reading it, not knowing what the balance between The Big Lebowski (TBL) and non-Lebowskiian Dudeist concepts would lie within.
I was pleasantly surprised that there was a good mix, and the concepts as presented within about TBL are actually quite insightful and aren't bandied about too much for no good reason.
The first part of the book is a wonderful deconstruction of TBL shedding light on some concepts I'd never dwelled on myself, giving me a few new things to mull over and maybe an extra life lesson or two to take away, as well as some new insights into society as a whole.
The second part take a look at a more broader part of Dudeism, encompassing many things from history and modern society that help tie Dudeism together so nicely with our core ethos. Merging parts of other religions and philosophies with social movements and people who exemplify different aspects of what we're all about it goes some way to moving Dudeism away from seeming like just some "movie cult" as it can often be perceived.
The third and final part looks at you, the reader, and how you yourself can learn to take it easier and truly abide with yourself and the world around you. This is really the true "guide to abiding" of The Abide Guide. With a little help from some other key figures in the Dudeist movement the authors explore how to attune yourself to the nature of your inner Dude in a near-parody of a self-help guide.
I certainly enjoyed it a lot, and look forward to further books on the subject that help to further flesh out what's been started here. An all-round great introduction to Dudeism and becoming more Dude.
I was pleasantly surprised that there was a good mix, and the concepts as presented within about TBL are actually quite insightful and aren't bandied about too much for no good reason.
The first part of the book is a wonderful deconstruction of TBL shedding light on some concepts I'd never dwelled on myself, giving me a few new things to mull over and maybe an extra life lesson or two to take away, as well as some new insights into society as a whole.
The second part take a look at a more broader part of Dudeism, encompassing many things from history and modern society that help tie Dudeism together so nicely with our core ethos. Merging parts of other religions and philosophies with social movements and people who exemplify different aspects of what we're all about it goes some way to moving Dudeism away from seeming like just some "movie cult" as it can often be perceived.
The third and final part looks at you, the reader, and how you yourself can learn to take it easier and truly abide with yourself and the world around you. This is really the true "guide to abiding" of The Abide Guide. With a little help from some other key figures in the Dudeist movement the authors explore how to attune yourself to the nature of your inner Dude in a near-parody of a self-help guide.
I certainly enjoyed it a lot, and look forward to further books on the subject that help to further flesh out what's been started here. An all-round great introduction to Dudeism and becoming more Dude.
May 19, 2013
Essential reading for all raving fans of The Big Lebowski, the Abide Guide takes those threads of theory about the movie and puts it into a cohesive narrative and philosophy. Anyone who’s watched the movie so many times that they take away an existential experience or mentioned that The Dude’s desire for the rug is the cause of his suffering should be reading this book. Likewise anyone who believes in The Dude’s philosophy in the film can broaden their horizon with these Dudeist Priest authors.
Overall, the book is fan fiction philosophy. Most of the book is written in the style of The Stranger from the movie (played by Sam Eliot). At first, they go too deep and seems like the book only brings about its points using one-liners from the film. It hits its stride once it delves into analysis of the film and has fun parts near the end where they apply The Dude’s Way to life.
The first half of the book is a scene by scene dissection of The Big Lebowski with analysis on the Dudeist Way. Each character plays a role in the underlying philosophy of the movie. When a character violates this paradigm there are consequences. For example, the Dude desires the rug, this desire leads to suffering. The book then ventures into leaders who have encouraged a laid back attitude to life. The authors even interview some female Priests who give their perspective on The Dude and on how they can live that lifestyle.
Good for fans of the film, or if someone needs to re-set their thinking. I felt very relaxed reading it. It reminded me of The Art of Mindful Living and You Are Here. It was a perfect Christmas gift from my wife. It combined my love of the The Big Lebowski with great philosophical ways of being.
Overall, the book is fan fiction philosophy. Most of the book is written in the style of The Stranger from the movie (played by Sam Eliot). At first, they go too deep and seems like the book only brings about its points using one-liners from the film. It hits its stride once it delves into analysis of the film and has fun parts near the end where they apply The Dude’s Way to life.
The first half of the book is a scene by scene dissection of The Big Lebowski with analysis on the Dudeist Way. Each character plays a role in the underlying philosophy of the movie. When a character violates this paradigm there are consequences. For example, the Dude desires the rug, this desire leads to suffering. The book then ventures into leaders who have encouraged a laid back attitude to life. The authors even interview some female Priests who give their perspective on The Dude and on how they can live that lifestyle.
Good for fans of the film, or if someone needs to re-set their thinking. I felt very relaxed reading it. It reminded me of The Art of Mindful Living and You Are Here. It was a perfect Christmas gift from my wife. It combined my love of the The Big Lebowski with great philosophical ways of being.
November 10, 2020
You will need to have seen the movie Big Lebowski at least once before getting much out of this book. I found the first part of the book the most interesting as it breaks down scenes in the movie and connects how they demonstrate a life philosophy.
Basically fan fiction the second part of the book feels like padding. Not a lot of substance. Many words. Half baked analysis.
Comforting reading during the Pandemic of 2020.
A mild recommendation.
Basically fan fiction the second part of the book feels like padding. Not a lot of substance. Many words. Half baked analysis.
Comforting reading during the Pandemic of 2020.
A mild recommendation.
July 5, 2022
I liked The Abide Guide significantly more than I had been expecting I would have based on my reading of the first couple of pages. As a matter of fact, I came to the book with serious doubts regarding the basic premise--that one would want to "live like Lebowski." But I have to admit that I was won over by the book which, along with clearing up a few questions about the film I did not even know I had, locates the lessons to be gained from The Big Lebowski and discusses in some detail the philosophical, religious and political ideas to which they appear to allude. An informative guide to Big Ideas about the good life and the meaning of "the whole durned human comedy" as filtered through the lens of one of the great cinematic comedies.
Acquired Dec 25, 2019
Gift from Jenn
Acquired Dec 25, 2019
Gift from Jenn
January 11, 2018
If taking it easy for all the uptight sinners out there is a sacrifice you would be willing to make, then maybe this book is for you. The only real requirement is a familiarity if not downright affection for the Coen Brothers cult classic. If not then, well, smarter fellers than me would move on. For the rest of us this is a guide to life a life of freedom, loosely grafting parts of Taoism and whatnot to a semblance of a religion. Call it a lifestyle, call it a joke, just relax and enjoy.
Respectfully Submitted,
The Dudely Rev. Dave – Ordained Dudeist Priest at Dudeism, the Church of the Latter-Day Dude
Respectfully Submitted,
The Dudely Rev. Dave – Ordained Dudeist Priest at Dudeism, the Church of the Latter-Day Dude
July 8, 2024
Context: I decided to pick this book up last year since I was tasked with officiating a friend's wedding as a Dudeist priest.
I thought this was hilarious for the first 30 pages or so, but as it went on, it became painful to finish. Lots of padding to get to full book length + asking the reader to go to their website every 5 pages or so. Also, I've seen The Big Lebowski half a dozen times and still didn't pick up on all the references because the writers kind of assume you have every single line memorized.
Still, I'm fascinated with the intersection of religion & pop culture (ever since I took a course on it freshman year of high school), and so this had some interesting takeaways in that regard--even if the analysis was quite half-baked.
I thought this was hilarious for the first 30 pages or so, but as it went on, it became painful to finish. Lots of padding to get to full book length + asking the reader to go to their website every 5 pages or so. Also, I've seen The Big Lebowski half a dozen times and still didn't pick up on all the references because the writers kind of assume you have every single line memorized.
Still, I'm fascinated with the intersection of religion & pop culture (ever since I took a course on it freshman year of high school), and so this had some interesting takeaways in that regard--even if the analysis was quite half-baked.
October 19, 2012
This book is the most beaten up book in my collection, that being as I have read it over and over.
Not only did the guys at Dudeism give us the slowest growing religion in the world, but possibly the greatest self help book ever written.
Watch the Big Lebowski, read this book and simply Abide!
February 17, 2019
Dude-ly righteous
A must read for aspiring Dudeists and ordained Dudeist Priests like me. This is the practical stuff to help you take it easy and abide. Dudeism is fun and funny too. This book is easy to read, breezy and uh, I forgot my train of thought.
A must read for aspiring Dudeists and ordained Dudeist Priests like me. This is the practical stuff to help you take it easy and abide. Dudeism is fun and funny too. This book is easy to read, breezy and uh, I forgot my train of thought.
October 27, 2016
dude would not approve of this book.
May 25, 2022
- mi sono ordinata ministra dopo averlo letto
- filosofia di vita che condivido in pieno
- rispetta gli altri e pensa agli affari tuoi
- filosofia di vita che condivido in pieno
- rispetta gli altri e pensa agli affari tuoi
March 30, 2022
"Nice marmot."
August 11, 2019
It's so much better to just watch the movie again. But that's just like, my opinion, man.
Having said that, there were some chapters here and there which I firmly believe in and would like to remind myself of:
Also:
Fuggedabout the Funny Shtuff - "Kurt Vonnegut said that the reason people are so keen to fuck up their lives is because they've seen too many fairytales. People see soap operas, the Jerry Springer Show, or movies and think that their own lives are supposed to be full of drama. So they latch on to all the small stuff in their lives and inflate things way out of proportion, picking fights, or doing shitty things to people close to them. Or they feel like they have to "shake things up", because that's what they've learned from the way Hollywood and reality TV fixates on all the petty stuff in life and makes it luridly entertaining. "
Be Dude to everyone you meet - "People are afraid to be nice to strangers because they might look stupid. But stupidity is in the "I" (ego) of the beholder. Anyone who doesn't appreciate your friendliness probably doesn't deserve it in the first place."
"Looking comfortable while others try to make you uncomfortable not only is the best way to defuse their attack, but also helps you to feel calm and invulnerable."
"Taoism would suggest that the spiritual path should be the easiest - once we realize which direction the flow is going, we can take 'er easy and float along with the current. The hard part isn't in the rambling - it's in staying out of the way of all the other dipshits struggling to plow against the current. As a result, the spiritually adept must find his refuge from society, either in his or her private residence, or by living away from the "madding crowds". He or she must avoid temples and testaments of the un-Dude-shopping malls, television commercials, fashion, technological fetishism, and so on.
To go with the flow, you have to go against the grain. As we've said, it's no easy thing to take it easy. There's just too much pressure from the square community, from our compeers, and from those in charge of scheduling, to make everything harder than it needs to be."
"You let the phone ring.
You let the beeper beep.
You know, in your soul, you're not trying to scam anyone here and that so much in life can be dealt with by drinking a White Russian, or inventing your own tai chi.
Fuck it.
It's a Dudeist's version of "thy will be done."
Having said that, there were some chapters here and there which I firmly believe in and would like to remind myself of:
"Break the rules when it doesn't hurt anybody else."
(..)"bad drugs" upon which most of our population is heavily addicted: TV, consumerism, nonstop entertainment, violence, and status-seeking."
Also:
Fuggedabout the Funny Shtuff - "Kurt Vonnegut said that the reason people are so keen to fuck up their lives is because they've seen too many fairytales. People see soap operas, the Jerry Springer Show, or movies and think that their own lives are supposed to be full of drama. So they latch on to all the small stuff in their lives and inflate things way out of proportion, picking fights, or doing shitty things to people close to them. Or they feel like they have to "shake things up", because that's what they've learned from the way Hollywood and reality TV fixates on all the petty stuff in life and makes it luridly entertaining. "
Be Dude to everyone you meet - "People are afraid to be nice to strangers because they might look stupid. But stupidity is in the "I" (ego) of the beholder. Anyone who doesn't appreciate your friendliness probably doesn't deserve it in the first place."
"Looking comfortable while others try to make you uncomfortable not only is the best way to defuse their attack, but also helps you to feel calm and invulnerable."
"Taoism would suggest that the spiritual path should be the easiest - once we realize which direction the flow is going, we can take 'er easy and float along with the current. The hard part isn't in the rambling - it's in staying out of the way of all the other dipshits struggling to plow against the current. As a result, the spiritually adept must find his refuge from society, either in his or her private residence, or by living away from the "madding crowds". He or she must avoid temples and testaments of the un-Dude-shopping malls, television commercials, fashion, technological fetishism, and so on.
To go with the flow, you have to go against the grain. As we've said, it's no easy thing to take it easy. There's just too much pressure from the square community, from our compeers, and from those in charge of scheduling, to make everything harder than it needs to be."
"You let the phone ring.
You let the beeper beep.
You know, in your soul, you're not trying to scam anyone here and that so much in life can be dealt with by drinking a White Russian, or inventing your own tai chi.
Fuck it.
It's a Dudeist's version of "thy will be done."
Actually, fuck it, I'm giving this book three stars.
December 23, 2019
Amazing and fun to read!
This book is absolutely amazing in it's commentary on both The Big Lebowski and Dudeism! The language was a bit hard to adapt to and follow, especially since it's been over 20 years since I last seen The Big Lebowski. It would be nice if the author would append a glossary of terms to make them easy to understand. But overall, I didn't ever want this book to end with as amazing it is, and how fun it was to read! I like how this book uses it's own language, rather than always adhering to conventional grammar. I would recommended this book to anyone seeking a wider view into the wisdom offered by Dudeism and to academic scholars of religion.
This book is absolutely amazing in it's commentary on both The Big Lebowski and Dudeism! The language was a bit hard to adapt to and follow, especially since it's been over 20 years since I last seen The Big Lebowski. It would be nice if the author would append a glossary of terms to make them easy to understand. But overall, I didn't ever want this book to end with as amazing it is, and how fun it was to read! I like how this book uses it's own language, rather than always adhering to conventional grammar. I would recommended this book to anyone seeking a wider view into the wisdom offered by Dudeism and to academic scholars of religion.
August 2, 2022
Either the ravings of drunken idiots who’ve had too many White Russians or a bad joke taken too far, The Abide Guide: Living Like Lebowski is complete garbage. Oliver Benjamin and Dwayne Eutsey of the Church of the Latter-Day Dude try to bring new sh*t to light by explain how the character of the Dude from the Cohn brothers film The Big Lebowski can be (and should be in their opinion) turning into a religious practice. But more than that, they absurdly claim that there’s 3,000 year of beautiful tradition of “Dudeism” by selectively highlighting its aspects in other religions and historical figures. You can imagine where it goes from here. Their arguments are incredibly specious and can’t be taken seriously (but at least it’s an ethos). Also, it’s just very poorly written; repeatedly forcing in phrases from the film ad nauseam. The Abide Guide: Living Like Lebowski reads like an obsessive fan letter and there’s no reason, NO F*CKING REASON…ah, f*ck it.
November 6, 2019
Amazing book. Everyone should take a break from their lives and read this.
The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is that "Thankie" part; really out of place, poorly written, and serve no purpose whatsoever. Just wrecks the great pacing of the book.
As an ordained priest, I highly recommend anyone to pick it up. Abide my friends.
The only reason I can't give it 5 stars is that "Thankie" part; really out of place, poorly written, and serve no purpose whatsoever. Just wrecks the great pacing of the book.
As an ordained priest, I highly recommend anyone to pick it up. Abide my friends.
June 8, 2024
So, you enjoy a movie. You find out there's a religion based around that movie, which is funny rather than creepy because it doesn't feel like the kind of movie that SHOULD have a religion based on it. You read a little about that religion, and find that they actually have some kind of interesting ideas. So you decide, what the hell? and purchase one of their 'scriptures.' All and all, I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting take on the movie, it was an entertaining and somewhat edifying read, and I'll admit Dudeism ain't half bad, as far as new religions go. It wasnt perfect: like any book with ideas worth sharing, I didn't agree with everything in it, and it REALLY hits hard on the referential language (seriously: you have to REALLY like The Big Lebowski and/or have REALLY high tolerance for that kind of word play: it's practically every damn sentence), but overall I'm glad I read it.
April 3, 2022
Once there was an Abide Guide
This is a Guide that fits well in every time and place. This book might as well be one of the best books I’ve ever read and…uuh…I lost my train of thought there. Enjoy it wiser fellas than myself!
This is a Guide that fits well in every time and place. This book might as well be one of the best books I’ve ever read and…uuh…I lost my train of thought there. Enjoy it wiser fellas than myself!
August 29, 2022
A fun guide to chilling the f*ck out, not to be taken too seriously, as religion often is. Some of the essays are weaker than others (the economics one comes to mind), but they all fit into a laid back and surprisingly well-researched account of how to live more like The Dude.
September 28, 2019
Good basic idea, waffles on a bit much though.
July 11, 2020
Fun for the first few chapters, but the incessant stuffing of nearly every sentence with quotes and references gets a little old. The writer may be flunking social studies.
September 18, 2020
Not worth reading if your looking for a story of any kind or detailed commentary on anything remotely real. It does talk about one of the best movies and quotes the movie lots. Not worth the time.
February 4, 2022
Everything you need to know to be one with your inner-Dude.
February 7, 2022
Decent. A bit too left wing for me, complimented Hillary Clinton (lol). Overall theme was good and took you through scenes of the movie which was cool.
April 3, 2023
Excellent analysis of the movie. But the rest is bleh. Didn’t finish but glad I read the first part
June 27, 2023
Just take it easy, that's the whole thing.
July 10, 2023
Fuckin' A
Awesome book! Seriously a life changer for me. I will definitely do my best to keep my mind limber and to abide.
Awesome book! Seriously a life changer for me. I will definitely do my best to keep my mind limber and to abide.
February 4, 2025
Cute lil book that reminded I have got to chill the fuck out man
April 21, 2025
Love my copy of The Abide Guide! It really ties my bookshelf together.
April 23, 2018
Any criticism I could swing down toward this here book could easily be dismissed by the very ethos the book espouses.
In a deeply casual way, our authors borrow, sample, and reinterpret bits of Eastern philosophy as they might be understood through the character of The Dude, as played by Jeff Bridges in The Coen Brother's film, The Big Lebowski. Whoa. That was a lot to say at once. Let me sit down.
I could fault the book for seeming to take the worldview it outlines less seriously than I hoped to take it as a reader. But hey, could it be that I just haven't yet truly abided enough to achieve the limber chill of these enlightened practitioners?
I mean, there was very little, possibly nothing, in this book that I haven't read elsewhere in my journeys as a seeker and theologian, sometimes professional, sometimes practical, sometimes just reading what I find inneresting.
I was glad to find echoes of what I read here in other books I read at the same time. Earth Abides by George Stewart offered me another myth in which a man in his time an place learns to just say fuck it and go with the flow. How to Smoke Pot Properly introduced me to a chemical regimen to keep my mind limber. The Pragmatic Approach for How to Create a Vegan World challenged me to chill the fuck out about thinking I can change the whole planet on my own, and maybe just get together with others a little more often, and share a meal together as we travel in solidarity in a world of pain. East of Eden reminded me to treat myself to a favourite book, even to take myself on a long date, to visit a botanical garden and read, just because. And all of these I read in the bath.
I don't believe I learned a lot of new information from this radically relaxed volume. Some of it smelled a little of horse pucky. More than a few times I felt the authors could have had a little more sensitivity to the common parlance, perhaps valuing inclusive language over cleverness.
But, fuck it. I was inspired. Maybe it was the content of the book. Maybe it was the source material, upon which I meditated frequently. Maybe it was the wild herb.
Maybe it was just the book for this time and place.
Anyhoo, it seems it's sent me on a little journey. And I appreciate that. I got a list of books I intend to read now that touch on some of the same themes as this one. Many of these books have titles with variations on the phrase "fuck it", the Dudist version of "thy will be done."
I may never read this book again, maybe never even remember much of it. But hell, strikes or gutters, I'm gonna abide. And I take comfort in that.
☠
eBook
Ulysses Press, 2011
Three Stars
April 10-21, 2018
☠
In a deeply casual way, our authors borrow, sample, and reinterpret bits of Eastern philosophy as they might be understood through the character of The Dude, as played by Jeff Bridges in The Coen Brother's film, The Big Lebowski. Whoa. That was a lot to say at once. Let me sit down.
I could fault the book for seeming to take the worldview it outlines less seriously than I hoped to take it as a reader. But hey, could it be that I just haven't yet truly abided enough to achieve the limber chill of these enlightened practitioners?
I mean, there was very little, possibly nothing, in this book that I haven't read elsewhere in my journeys as a seeker and theologian, sometimes professional, sometimes practical, sometimes just reading what I find inneresting.
I was glad to find echoes of what I read here in other books I read at the same time. Earth Abides by George Stewart offered me another myth in which a man in his time an place learns to just say fuck it and go with the flow. How to Smoke Pot Properly introduced me to a chemical regimen to keep my mind limber. The Pragmatic Approach for How to Create a Vegan World challenged me to chill the fuck out about thinking I can change the whole planet on my own, and maybe just get together with others a little more often, and share a meal together as we travel in solidarity in a world of pain. East of Eden reminded me to treat myself to a favourite book, even to take myself on a long date, to visit a botanical garden and read, just because. And all of these I read in the bath.
I don't believe I learned a lot of new information from this radically relaxed volume. Some of it smelled a little of horse pucky. More than a few times I felt the authors could have had a little more sensitivity to the common parlance, perhaps valuing inclusive language over cleverness.
But, fuck it. I was inspired. Maybe it was the content of the book. Maybe it was the source material, upon which I meditated frequently. Maybe it was the wild herb.
Maybe it was just the book for this time and place.
Anyhoo, it seems it's sent me on a little journey. And I appreciate that. I got a list of books I intend to read now that touch on some of the same themes as this one. Many of these books have titles with variations on the phrase "fuck it", the Dudist version of "thy will be done."
I may never read this book again, maybe never even remember much of it. But hell, strikes or gutters, I'm gonna abide. And I take comfort in that.
☠
eBook
Ulysses Press, 2011
Three Stars
April 10-21, 2018
☠
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