CDNSushi, I don't think I can contribute much to the discussion, but a few things you said reminded me of a discussion on the positive effects of "decentering" involved with many religions in relation to a sense of serving a community and selflessness in religious experiences. This discussion was in Patrick McNamara's book, The Neuroscience of Religious Experience (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2009).

I assume you have access to much, much more literature on the subject, but perhaps it is a direction to look. Good luck.