I read somewhere that only people who want to be hypnotized can be hypnotized. People "believe" not because of facts and evidence, but because they want to believe. We wouldn't say "I believe ..." if we had facts to back up our belief, we would say "I know that .... Same applies to religious cults and extreme politics. Peole believe what they want to believe. No use trying to argue with them.

So, I think you raise a good general question about the nature and causes of transcendental experiences. You can have them if you want them. And who wouldn't?