Gravity hasn't been proven to be, although theories on the quantization of gravity through rather obscure mathematics has provided some merit that it might very well be. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_gravity for more.
Let's review some of the criteria for being categorized as life, shall we?
- Metabolism
- Propagation (sexually or asexually)
The universe fails on these accounts.
Metabolism requires a distinction between what is "external" and "internal" to the organism. Since it is generally accepted that there is nothing "outside" the universe (at least, in a three-dimensional sense), on what would the universe feed - and to what does the energy contrived go?
Propagation requires areas into which the universe can expand and multiply, and thusly falols for the argument above.
Conversly, if we take quantum cosmology into account, then there might be something to it. this, in simplicity, states, that each quantum "decision" spawn a new universe, each containing the varying states in which any quantum could have been when the decision was made. Perhaps then, every quantum state that is found, will spawn an offspring into which we (The observers, parasites) are carried, until the next breeding period.