Can Sanctuary of Thought (Hierophant) be used effectively?

Divine Guidance (node before Sanctuary) gives 10% of damage taken from mana before life. Sancutary of Thought gives ES based on Mana. It also gives AoE based on unreserved mana.

Luckily, I from previous chars that MoM and ES don't mesh well, some exiles were in for a surprise. But my original plan of just going triple life pool (ES and then Life+Mana) is so poor on damage and not very survivable either, the life pools just don't synergies.

Right now I've reserved my Mana and use Eldritch Battery. Gives enough ES for Mind over Matter 40% without investment (other than equipping decent int-gear), but a lot of the potential of the ascendency nodes feels wasted. E.g. there is no point in scaling mana, as it remains inefficient when not contributing to the life pool. I've figured out some synergies:
-Transfiguration of Mind
-Skyforth (4ex though -.- )
-Prodigal Perfection
BUT it still does not feel like an efficient ascendency and I started wishing that I just had played witch for the thousands time.

Anybody figured out any synergies / workarounds to not allow as much Ascendency potential go to waste?