When Contemplatives Talk About Love, What Do They Mean?

In the wisdom teachings of Jesus, there are several pretty explicit (and challenging) teachings about love. Consider these words:

“Love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.” Luke 10:27“Love your neighbors as yourself.” Mark 12:31“Love one another, even as I have loved you.” John 13:34“Love your enemies.” Matthew 5:44

The teaching “love your neighbors as yourself” deserves some unpacking. I always interpreted it to be basically a t...