Near-death experiences are quite common, and appear to those of all religious orientations and persuasions. They share many common features, which has led to the partial but not yet complete description of the neurological reasons for the experience. Interestingly, NDEs lead to profound personality changes, often for the better; moreover, they can be induced in centrifuges to a quite startling degree of accuracy without even placing the subjects in danger of death.
There is nothing inherently mystical about them, but that probably won't stop this kid from selling his books.