Somewhere between Blake and Beckett, sitting up and smoking in the supernatural darkness of… Somewhere between Blake and Beckett, sitting up and smoking in the supernatural darkness of cold-water flats, my emaciated spirituality struggles even to open the “Duino Elegies.”

Art may shield that which is most essentially human in us from the vacant mouths and sweaty hands so set on turning our attention to the comfortably carnal – but even poetry sounds a bit hollow after one’s been castrated by middle management.

From churches to the sundry Anonymous meetings often held within them, people have learned that it’s far easier to maintain a belief with the support of like-minded individuals. Maintaining any form of participation in art is even more difficult than being active in a religious organization, if for no other reason than lack of any similar support.

It’s not that we’re seduced into leaving brush or pen at home to go find comfort working in Wal-Mart. It’s that we need money to buy paper, paint, books and food, so we find that short-term job to support another life that we choose to live.

“Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m. I’m a waiter. The rest of the time I’m a musician. Someday soon, I’ll just be a musician the whole time.” Sadly, it’s far more likely that someday soon he’ll become a waiter the whole time.

The problem I’ve found is that it’s absurdly hard to be much more than the job you do. It’s hard to seek out new paintings or re-read favorite pieces of literature when the bulk of your day is divided between things you despise doing and people who incite yet another visit to a menagerie of soothing vices.

To combat all this, I sought a figure who had remained true to his principles, despite situations that would overwhelm a normal man’s dedication. I looked for a man who had survived all that life had thrown at him without compromising – a man whose name I could speak aloud in a room full of strangers and suddenly have friends. I looked for a man who is, well, I won’t say a “hero” because, what’s a hero?

From disaffected skaters to tone-deaf, would-be opera singers and even aspiring tollbooth attendants – everyone who’s anyone or at least trying to become someone knows The Dude.

The first thing that binds many of us to Jeffrey Lebowski is his name. Or rather his refusal to use it: “I’m not Mr. Lebowski-I’m the Dude. So that’s what you call me. That, or Duder. His Dudeness. Or El Duderino.”

Here’s a man with no job (and an accountant) who stands against a society so obsessed with using the appropriate, the proper, the preferred nomenclature. Every time he’s introduced to someone he defies the American norm.

Some may argue that The Dude is an unfit figure for us to pattern ourselves after because his life consists mainly of drug use and bowling. I argue that if the man chooses to live a life of drug use and bowling – and continues living it without even working – then he is a fine example to us all.

Others may argue that The Dude is an unfit figure to pattern ourselves after because he’s a character in a movie. It is true that Jeffrey Lebowski is a character from the life-altering film “The Big Lebowski.” But, the barrier dividing art – and especially entertainment – from reality is crumbling.

I can remember the finale of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” more clearly than the day I left home. How many great moments come back when the right song comes on the radio? Our lives are bound to the images and sounds that surround us as we live them. If we are to have any control of our lives, we need to find a way to control those sounds and images.

We need a figure who transcends the real-life/entertainment dichotomy. Fortunately, here too The Dude can lead the way. The Coen brothers, creators of “The Big Lebowski,” based Jeffrey Lebowski on a real man, Jeff Daoud.

Jeff Daoud is The Dude. The Dude walks the earth. And since he’s out there takin’ it easy for all us sinners, perhaps our souls’ connection to art will abide just as The Dude abides.

E-mail Zak Sharif at [email protected] if you’d like to meet The Dude.