07/02/2026
We often think of love as a feeling for one person, but Ayurveda and modern integrative medicine—like the work of Dr. Robert Schneider—suggest it is actually a biological nutrient for our entire system.
In Vedic wisdom, the heart is the home of Ojas, the golden essence that governs your immunity, your vitality, and that literal “glow” we see in healthy people. Dr. Schneider’s research at MIU shows that our heart health depends on the shift from contraction to expansion. When we are stressed or fearful, we contract. But when we experience “Big Love”—that expansive, universal kindness—our nervous system shifts into a state of repair and growth.
The Sanskrit word for love is Sneha, which also means “oil.” Just as oil protects a machine from rust and keeps it moving smoothly, love lubricates our life. It prevents us from becoming brittle, dry, or hard-hearted. When you choose compassion, you aren’t just being “nice”—you are coating your cells in Sneha and building your Ojas.
This Valentine’s week, don’t just wait for a spark from someone else. Lean into the expansion. Practice a little “Big Love” for the world around you, and watch your own heart bloom.