"'The Mellowphant' is inspired by the character Jeff Bridges played in the Coen Brothers' film The Big Lebowski. While it flopped upon release in 1998, the film has since gone on to inspire festivals all around the world, a shelf of philosophical books (including a few of our own and one by Bridges himself), hundreds of graduate theses, innumerable visual artworks, and of course, a religion. So why is The Big Lebowski now considered "the most popular cult film of all time"? Probably because its philosophy is so accessible and welcome. It encourages viewers to relax, take it easy, and remember what's important in life. In his own unlikely way, "The Dude" provides an example for us all to emulate and admire. Moreover, we believe that the way of the Dude is a perennial philosophy that has always existed to counter the excesses of civilization."
