For more information on the brain state stuff, you might want to check out Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief by Andrew Newberg, Eugene D'Aquilli, and Vince Rause. It had a pretty big effect on my understanding of religion back when I read it.

Wow, that would be great. I've been fumbling towards this understanding entirely on my own, and I'm relieved to hear that other people have gotten there first. Thanks for the rec!