I haven't yet read your essay in toto but from scanning it I don't believe you covered the form of love that is central to Buddhism, "metta". It's sometimes translated as benevolence but I think "unconditional acceptance" might be closer. Typical human interactions are conditional--"I might like you if you agree with me," or "you don't look like the sort of person I want to interact with, so make it quick,"or "I love you, but I wish you didn't interrupt me," or "I love you my (son or daughter) but maybe it's time to get married and have babies," etc. We judge and prejudge everyone we interact with, and withhold acceptance of... (read more)
I haven't yet read your essay in toto but from scanning it I don't believe you covered the form of love that is central to Buddhism, "metta". It's sometimes translated as benevolence but I think "unconditional acceptance" might be closer. Typical human interactions are conditional--"I might like you if you agree with me," or "you don't look like the sort of person I want to interact with, so make it quick,"or "I love you, but I wish you didn't interrupt me," or "I love you my (son or daughter) but maybe it's time to get married and have babies," etc. We judge and prejudge everyone we interact with, and withhold acceptance of... (read more)