Recommended to me by someone who is the dearest to me, Anita Moorjani’s Dying To Be Me is not just a near-death experience (NDE) memoir – it’s a profound meditation on fear, self-love, and the transformative power of radical acceptance. Moorjani, a former corporate professional, recounts her journey through terminal cancer, clinical death, and an inexplicable recovery that defied medical explanation. What emerges is a story that challenges conventional thinking about illness, healing, and the human spirit.
A brief touch on the story
Moorjani was diagnosed with late-stage Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and after four years of rapid deterioration, her organs shut down. Doctors declared her beyond help. Yet, in what she describes as a state of expanded consciousness during her NDE, she experienced overwhelming clarity: fear had been her greatest enemy, not the cancer itself. She realised that her relentless self-criticism, people-pleasing, and repressed emotions had contributed to her physical decline.
When she miraculously regained consciousness, her tumours began shrinking at an unprecedented rate. Within weeks, she was cancer-free – a recovery that left her doctors baffled.
Key lessons from the story
One of the most interesting things I came across throughout the story was that “fear fuels suffering”. Moorjani argues that fear – or failure, judgement, illness, or death – creates resistance in the body. Her NDE revealed that self-love, not fear, is the foundation of healing.
The “illusion of separation” can also be drawn out from the narrative. She describes a profound sense of oneness during her NDE, realising that we are all interconnected energy. The ego’s belief in separation leads to anxiety, competition, and self-doubt.
We can see that the “body responds to belief”. Her recovery suggests that the mind-body connection is far more powerful than medicine acknowledges. “I didn’t heal because I fought cancer – I healed because I stopped seeing myself as sick,” is a powerful quote from the book to enforce the principle.
Lastly, Moorjani’s story embraces the principle of living authentically, not conditionally. Her pre-illness life was ruled by societal expectation. Her awakening taught her that joy comes from being, not striving.
Why this book resonates
Morjani’s story transcends the typical NDE narrative. Unlike some spiritual memoirs that focus solely on the afterlife, hers is grounded in practical wisdom for living fearlessly. Her insights align with modern psychology (self-compassion over self-criticism) and quantum physics (the observer effect on reality).
Criticisms and considerations
Some readers may struggle with the metaphysical aspect’s particularly, if they prefer strictly scientific explanations. While inspiring, her recovery is anecdotal – not a guaranteed blueprint for healing. Also, the book leans heavily on personal revelation rather than structured guidance.
Final thoughts
Dying To Be Me is a soul-shaking read for anyone grappling with fear, illness, or self-worth. Moorjani doesn’t preach a one-size-fits-all solution but instead offers a radical invitation: what if the key to living is simply embracing who you already are?
In my opinion, this book is best for those facing illness or supporting someone who is, seekers questioning the mind-body-spirit connection, and anyone exhausted by self-help dogma and ready for a deeper truth.
On the other hand, it may not be suitable for readers uncomfortable with spiritual themes and those seeking a step-by-step healing manual.