Anita Moorjani

Anita Moorjani is an author recognized for her book "Dying to Be Me," which achieved New York Times bestseller status. Born in Singapore to Indian parents, she grew up in Sri Lanka and Hong Kong, navigating a multicultural upbringing and facing bullying in British schools. Her early life included defying her parents' traditional wishes, including an arranged marriage, which led to estrangement from her community.

Moorjani's life took a significant turn in 2002 when diagnosed with lymphoma. After initially exploring alternative healing and then undergoing conventional treatments that proved unsuccessful, she experienced a coma lasting 30 hours. During this period, she claims to have had a near-death experience, describing an out-of-body sensation and a reluctance to return to her physical body. Upon awakening, her tumors reportedly shrank dramatically, leading to a full recovery from cancer within weeks. Her subsequent healing has been attributed by some medical professionals to the treatments she received, while others suggest a more profound, unexplained mechanism. Moorjani's story gained wider attention through her submission to the Near Death Experience Research Foundation and the encouragement of author Wayne Dyer. Her bestselling book chronicles her NDE and recovery, leading to numerous media appearances and further publications. While her message of healing through mindset and positive thinking has resonated with many, it has also drawn criticism from some in the medical establishment who view it as potentially dangerous.

In 2002, Anita Moorjani was diagnosed with lymphoma. After initial rejection of conventional medicine and unsuccessful attempts with alternative therapies, she underwent treatments that were ultimately deemed too late by her doctors as the cancer had metastasized. She entered a coma for 30 hours, during which she reported experiencing a profound near-death experience, including an out-of-body awareness. She felt a strong pull to remain in this state but was encouraged to return to her physical body by spiritual guidance. Upon emerging from the coma, Moorjani experienced a rapid and significant remission, with her tumors shrinking dramatically within days and her becoming cancer-free in approximately five weeks. She has remained cancer-free since. While medical professionals have offered differing explanations for her recovery, ranging from the effects of chemotherapy and lung drainage to the mind's influence on the body, Moorjani attributes her healing to her profound NDE and subsequent shift in consciousness.

Following her recovery, Moorjani shared her near-death experience and healing journey online, which caught the attention of self-help author Wayne Dyer. This led to her first book, "Dying to Be Me," published in 2012, which became a New York Times bestseller. The book details her experience of illness, her NDE, and her subsequent profound healing. Moorjani's story has since been featured on various media platforms, including "The Dr. Oz Show," and she has authored several more books, including "What If This Is Heaven?" and "Sensitive Is the New Strong." Her work explores themes of self-empowerment, spirituality, and the power of consciousness in healing and life.

While Anita Moorjani's narrative of spontaneous healing and the power of the mind has resonated with a large audience, it has also faced skepticism. Some critics, including journalists and academics, have voiced concerns that her message, which emphasizes tackling illness through positive thinking and mental states, could be perceived as dangerous by the medical establishment. These critiques often frame such approaches as potentially overlooking or downplaying the necessity of conventional medical treatments. Conversely, some medical professionals who have reviewed her case have acknowledged the extraordinary nature of her recovery, with one oncologist suggesting that her body or mind might have influenced the cancer cells' genes, while another pointed to the potential effectiveness of chemotherapy, despite the unusual speed and completeness of her remission.