Introducing Neeraj Rai: Unveiling the Author of “Live Before You Die”
Have you ever wondered how the concept of death could teach you to truly live? Neeraj Rai, the brilliant mind behind the thought-provoking book “Live Before You Die,” aims to explore this unconventional path of self-discovery. With a unique perspective on mortality and awareness, Neeraj takes readers on a transformative journey.
Educated with a background in B.Sc. (Mathematics) and M.A. (Sociology), Neeraj has spent 18 years working in Government Service, currently serving as a Superintendent of Customs. His professional expertise lies in Anti-smuggling Law Enforcement and Tax Administration. Residing in New Delhi, Neeraj is a dedicated family man, cherishing moments with his parents, wife, and two children.
While writing remains his passion, Neeraj also finds solace in meditation, photography, and embarking on thrilling adventures and long drives. Influenced by renowned author Robin Sharma, Neeraj has cultivated a love for inspirational literature, with favorite books including “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari,” “The Power of Now,” and “Atomic Habits.” Authors like Eckhart Tolle and Amish Tripathi have also left a profound impact on his writing journey.
Neeraj’s ultimate goal as an author is to uplift and impact the lives of 10 million readers, sharing valuable insights and inspiring them to embrace their heroic potential. One of his most precious memories related to books, reading, and writing dates back to 2012 when a line from Robin Sharma’s “The Saint, The Surfer, and The CEO” resonated deeply within him. The realization that we often postpone the things we value the most sparked a transformative change in his life.
We at bookGeeks got a lucky chance at a candid conversation with the author. Here is what he has to say about his life, his journey as an author, his latest book, and his upcoming projects.
| Tell us something about yourself. Who is Neeraj as a person? What are his likes and dislikes? |
| I am a peace-loving person. I like to be in nature and enjoy solitude. Honesty, dutifulness, and being trustworthy are my few top life values. The philosophy of simple living and high thinking resonates the most with me. |
| Tell us about the work you do in your professional sphere. How has it shaped you as a person and as a writer? |
| By profession, I am a Customs Officer. Wide exposure in my profession expanded my horizon towards life and played an important role in turning a shy boy from a small village into a seeker and thinker. |
| With what aim did you begin to write Live Before You Die? Can you shed some light on its objectives? |
| My aim behind writing this book is to awaken people regarding the preciousness of life and to inspire them to live it fully. Normally, we don’t feel that we have limited time in this world. As a result, we often get entangled in superficial things and distractions which leads to regret in the end. This book is mainly a reminder and presents a framework for how to live this life deeply and fully. |
| Who is most likely to benefit from the book? |
| People who want to do something significant in their life but keep on postponing or getting distracted or those who people need to bounce back after some setbacks in life are most likely to benefit from this book. |
| The book makes use of ample examples from real life. How much time did you spend on the research part? And how did you go about it? |
| A Self-Help book makes sense only if it is relatable to real life. So, I try to build the book around real-life along the lines of the core message which I want to convey through the book. Before starting writing, I do some foundational work such as clarifying my core message/ the problem which I want to solve through my book, identifying the ideal person having that problem or whom I want to deliver that message to, and making a broad outline of the book. Then, I dive deeper into the core message. The book flows from the core message itself and that’s how the first draft gets ready. Then I do the research work related to my content. |
| How much time did it take for you to complete the book? |
| Usually, I write the first draft in one month and do further fine-tuning in the next month. So, it takes two months to come up with a new book. I cannot write the book in breaks of longer periods, because if the flow gets broken then it becomes difficult for me to get back in the flow with the core message with the same depth. While writing the book, I get fully absorbed in it and forget the world. But, in this process, I get so drained and exhausted that I cannot write for the next 3-4 months. However, such exertion feels deeply fulfilling when the new book comes into hand. |
| Are you a disciplined writer or a spontaneous one? |
| I am not a disciplined writer. I don’t write in small pieces regularly. I am a kind of spontaneous writer. I prefer to get absorbed in the book and write day and night with small breaks for rest. |
| Tell us about your other interests apart from writing. |
| Besides writing, I like meditation, photography, adventure, and long drives. |
| Who or what is your biggest source of inspiration in life? |
| Our forefathers fought against various odds in forests and caves just to survive. Today, we live a much better and more comfortable life. All this is the result of the struggles, sacrifices, and contributions made by our previous generations to make this world better. I feel deep gratitude towards them and believe in living not just for myself but also contributing to making this world a better place so that we can hand over a better world to our future generations. This is the biggest source of my inspiration. |
| One thing that you cannot live without. |
| Sweets. |
| Any new projects that you are currently working on? |
| Presently, I am working on the project to launch a Podcast tentatively named “Modern Monk School”. The purpose of this Podcast is to help people to connect with their Higher Self and lead this life with spiritual understanding. This Podcast will publish episodes on Meditation, Spirituality, Life Skills, and Self-leadership. |
To connect with Neeraj and explore his literary world, follow him on Instagram at @author_neerajrai. There, he shares thought-provoking content and updates on his writing journey.
Prepare to embark on a remarkable adventure of self-discovery as you dive into “Live Before You Die” and witness the extraordinary insights Neeraj Rai has to offer. Let his words awaken your hero within and transform your perspective on life and mortality.
