Vow of Aliveness: Saying YES to the mess and magic of a true life

How do we stay alive in a world designed to keep us distracted, numb, and consuming?Growing up in Silicon Valley, Ravi Mishra excitedly embarked on a path of entrepreneurship before even graduating college. But when his startup failed, a series of chance encounters took him on a deeper journey – from meditation retreats in the Himalayas to protest movements in Egypt, from Burning Man to a Zen Buddhist monastery where he spends a month each year.In “Vow of Aliveness,” Mishra explores how our modern, “default world” disconnects us from our intrinsic vitality through distraction, busyness, and validation-seeking. Drawing on nearly two decades of Zen practice, he shares stories of resisting this disconnection by embracing what makes us come alive. Through modern frameworks and practical rituals, he lays out a vision for how we can learn to trust the whispers of our Inner World – and follow them to a life beyond dreams.RAVI BAIKEI MISHRA is a writer, entrepreneur, Zen student, and avid rollerblader. His work focuses on cultivating Aliveness, from written pages and quirky hobbies to startups and social change-making. His dharma name, Baikei, means “cultivating wisdom.” He lives in San Francisco and would love it if you said hi. Read more