I realise this thread is two years old, but thought to address this point, as there seems to be a hole here that is immediately relevant to this more recent thread (where I’ve articulated the issues with translating metta as love). Below is a list of definitions for love in multiple dictionaries. It must be noted that all but one of the definitions I’ve found connect the word love to some form of attachment or define it as deeply personal. The only definition that is not related to attachment is offered right down the bottom of Mariam Webster. Oxford Dictionary and Dictionary.com don’t even offer this as an everyday definition.
There is an additional point to consider. Many times, when love is used in a non-romantic or spiritual way it is often prefixed by the word unconditional. The need for such a prefix is a clue that the word love in and of itself does not commonly have that meaning.
Given the evidence, the monks at Hillside Hermitage are not defining the word love arbitrarily.
- A very strong feeling of liking and caring for somebody/something, especially a member of your family or a friend.
- A strong feeling of romantic attraction for somebody
- The strong feeling of pleasure that something gives you
- A person, a thing or an activity that you like very much
- A word used as a friendly way of addressing somebody
- A feeling or disposition of deep affection or fondness for someone, typically arising from a recognition of attractive qualities, from natural affinity, or from sympathy and manifesting itself in concern for the other’s welfare and pleasure in his or her presence
- As an abstract quality or principle. (Sometimes personified.)
- As a count noun: an instance of affection or fondness. Also: †an act of kindness (obsolete).
- The benevolence and affection of God towards an individual or towards creation; (also) the affectionate devotion due to God from an individual; regard and consideration of one human being towards another prompted by a sense of a common relationship to God.
- Strong predilection, liking, or fondness (for something); devotion (to something).
- An intense feeling of romantic attachment based on an attraction felt by one person for another; intense liking and concern for another person, typically combined with sexual passion.
- An instance of being in love. Also in plural: love affairs, amatory relations.
- Sexual desire or lust, esp. as a physiological instinct; amorous sexual activity, sexual intercourse.
- A person who is beloved of another, esp. a sweetheart (cf. true love n. 4a); also (rare) in extended use of animals.
- As a form of address to one’s beloved and (in modern informal use) also familiarly to a close acquaintance or (more widely) anyone whom one encounters. Frequently with possessive adjective.
- An object of love; a person who or thing which is loved, the beloved (of); a passion, preoccupation.
- A charming or delightful person or thing.
- The personification of romantic or sexual affection, usually portrayed as masculine, and more or less identified with the Eros, Amor, or Cupid of Classical mythology
- epresentations or personifications of Cupid; mythological gods of love, or attendants of the goddess of love; figures or representations of the god of love. Frequently with modifying word.
- A profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.
- A feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.
- Sexual passion or desire.
- a person toward whom love is felt; beloved person; sweetheart.
- Used as a term of endearment, affection, or the like
- A love affair; an intensely amorous incident; amour.
- Sexual intercourse; copulation.
- Love, a personification of sexual affection, as Eros or Cupid.
- Affectionate concern for the well-being of others
- Strong predilection, enthusiasm, or liking for anything:
- The object or thing so liked
- The benevolent affection of God for His creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God.
- Strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties
- Attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers
- Affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests
- An assurance of affection
- Warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion
- The object of attachment, devotion, or admiration
- A beloved person : darling —often used as a term of endearment
- Unselfish loyal and benevolent (see benevolent sense 1a) concern for the good of another