Everything you said is valuable. But I can't agree with your mother Teresa example. When you're in crisis no matter what example do you have and how great your life actually is (by the way, I have such example in my life). Your thinking just changes together with brain chemistry, that's all. There's nothing spiritual in it, just chemistry. And it this stage you need "earth support". Then, when you're stable - yes, you can seek for things that can support you. But when you're inside the crisis you don't care about anything.