I have lots and lots of books about the near-death experience. I, too, have been in awe of the experiences people have had. I have gathered that it is not productive to commit suicide unless maybe there's no hope for recovery. We do not have answers for this. I think it's neat that you actually have a friend who had an NDE! My brother rose up out of his body once while he was sick at home and looked down at his body from the ceiling. My father appeared to my mother after he died. She touched him and he was solid! I've heard of the astral body and think that's what he was in at the time.