Expressing unconditional love while being murdered.

Back in the 80’s, I had attended a video presentation of Bill Moyer interviewing Joseph Campbell on the Power of Myth.  In this presentation, Mr. Campbell said that Tibetan monks were able to express love even as they were being murdered.  I could not imagine myself capable of that kind of love.  I thought that in the moment of being attacked I would in all probability fight back.  You know, the old “sugar for sugar and salt for salt”.  I did however, think it might be possible for me to muster up some forgiveness sometime after the event, but most assuredly, not during.  During this period, I was meditating every day and reading the spiritual books that I was drawn to.  I was also continuing to work as a carpenter on a large timber frame house that I was helping to build.  I would meditate each morning before leaving the house.  This was a common practice of mine at the time.  I would sit in my favorite easy chair and try to just be.  One morning, prior to leaving for work, while I was meditating, I was suddenly engulfed in love.  When I say engulfed in love, I mean I was just all love.  I had a vision that I was a monk and that I was being murdered by a soldier who was intent on making me suffer first.  In this vision, he cut off my left hand at the wrist.  But yet, nothing but love for this man poured out of me.  He then cut off more of my arm with the same result; I just absolutely loved this man and everything about him.  I have never before or since experienced such overpowering love.  If Jesus was in this state I could see how he could instantly heal someone.  Following this meditation, I left for work and stopped at a store on the way for my usual breakfast at the time, a pack of Toms Peanuts poured into a Pepsi Cola.  When I spoke to the clerks they seemed to have a sort of surprised awe about them.  I realized that I must still be carrying some of the powerful love energy with me.  My presence affected them.  One thing I am certain about this experience, it was not the Tom that I am most familiar with that expressed this love.  It was something within me that for some reason had been released, even though only momentarily.  It has been frustrating in the intervening years not to again have that experience.  I have meditated and meditated but have never had quite that expression of love again.  I know it is in there, but I do not know how to let it out at will.