Vivaism

• Vivaism: The philosophy of being aware of the life and death of consciousness in oneself, and actively embracing the responsibility of living with intentionality, vitality, and awareness until the natural end of one's consciousness.

Key Elements of Vivaism

1. Awareness of Consciousness:

   • Recognizing the ebb and flow of one's conscious state as part of life's dynamic rhythm. You aren't always "alive" in a full, engaged sense—but the choice to live deliberately is always there.
   • Vivaism acknowledges that periods of disengagement or "death-like" states can serve as temporary rest or rejuvenation but sees these as a pause before re-immersing oneself in life.

2. Duality of Living and Dying:

   • Life and death are not just physical occurrences. There is a metaphorical life when you're fully engaged, and a metaphorical death when you're passive or disconnected from consciousness.
   • Vivaism does not judge or reject death (in any form) but instead affirms that as long as consciousness is present, we have the choice to "live."

3. Intentional Living:

   • Central to Vivaism is the idea of taking responsibility for the act of living—not just existing. This includes making decisions with awareness of their impact on one's vitality and engagement with life.
   • "Only live" becomes a mantra for focusing on what aligns with vibrancy, growth, and meaningful action.
   • Consciousness takes on a recursive quality: being aware of being aware.

4. Celebration of Life:

   • Vivaism has an uplifting and affirming quality. It invites adherents to celebrate and prioritize what it means to be truly "alive" and avoid succumbing to prolonged metaphorical death when life is an option.
   • It values life for its richness, complexity, and impermanence, which keeps us attuned to its fleeting beauty.

5. Freedom of Choice:

   • There is no moral prescription against disengagement or "choosing to be dead" temporarily to rest or recover. Vivaism respects this and allows individuals to make conscious choices based on their needs.
   • However, Vivaism emphasizes returning to life when one is ready—choosing to be a participant in the vivid tapestry of existence.

Practicing Vivaism

• Define for yourself what it means to be alive.
• Test each choice. Is it being alive according to your own definition?
• Don't judge yourself if you choose to be metaphorically dead.
• "Only live" is the mantra to increase awareness of your conscious condition.