That’s my take, too! If you noticed in one of the interviews, he said he couldn’t understand why the other giggly passengers were taken back by floating Skittles and other what nots they released in the capsule in zero gravity. He thought they were missing out on viewing the Earth below and taking in the essence of it all. What it all boils down to is that Shatner had a spiritual experience at his age.
I agree with you. Age is a factor in what he saw. He’s seen a lot in 90 years. Wonder about his youth and his parents. Maybe I have to do a little reading up on the guy.