{"product_id":"the-skillful-life-foundations-course","title":"The Skillful Life Foundations Course","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cem\u003eEight weeks. Eight skills. The care, intention, and courage to make decisions that serve you — and the world.\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eTaught live by Dr. Shalini B Bahl, PhD — MBSR-certified teacher, award winning researcher and author, Return to Mindfulness, and one of the Top 10 Women in the Mindfulness Movement in 2025.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eMost of us were handed mindfulness as an app, a retreat, or a single technique. Useful, but not enough for the moments that actually matter — the difficult conversation, the inbox at 9 PM, the grief that won't lift, the decision that shapes a year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe Skillful Life Foundations Course is built for those moments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eOver eight weeks, we meet once a week, live on Zoom, for ninety minutes. Each session is dedicated to one of the eight foundational skills of a \u003cem\u003esama\u003c\/em\u003e — Pali for \u003cem\u003eskillful\u003c\/em\u003e — life. We explore the nuance of the skill, what it disrupts in our habitual patterns, and what it strengthens in our character and choices. You leave each session with \u003cstrong\u003eone dedicated practice\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003esix micro-practices\u003c\/strong\u003e — small, portable moments of return that fit into the texture of an ordinary day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eBy the end of eight weeks, you will not have \"tried mindfulness.\" You will have a working toolkit you can return to for the rest of your life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eThe eight skills we will explore\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eEach week, we go deep into one skill — what it is, what it disrupts, and what it strengthens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto w-full px-2 mb-6\"\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"min-w-full border-collapse text-sm leading-[1.7] whitespace-normal\"\u003e\n\u003cthead class=\"text-left\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/60 py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eWeek\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/60 py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eSkill\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/60 py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eWhat it disrupts\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/60 py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eWhat it strengthens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAwareness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eAutopilot \u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003ePresence and the power of choice\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompassion\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eJudgment\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eConnection and the courage to stay\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCuriosity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eAssumptions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eOpenness and lifelong learning\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEnergy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eResistance to change\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eVitality and sustained effort\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppreciative Joy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eNegativity bias\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eShared well-being and generosity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInner Calm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eAttachment\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eStillness and clarity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e7\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFocus\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eDistraction and scatter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eAttention and follow-through\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEquanimity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eImpulsive reactions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-border-300\/30 py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eSteadiness and perspective\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe skills build on each other. Together, they form the \u003cem\u003eReturn–Listen–Begin\u003c\/em\u003e framework: the capacity to return to ourselves, listen to what is actually happening, and begin again — wisely, kindly, and with intention.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eWhat you receive each week\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e90 minutes of live teaching and guided practice with Shalini\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eOne dedicated practice for the week — a formal sitting, movement, or contemplative inquiry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSix micro-practices — short, portable returns you can do anywhere: in line, on a walk, between meetings, before sleep\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSession recordings, so you can revisit anything or catch up if you miss a week\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eA small community of co-learners walking alongside you\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eLive, recorded, and at your own pace\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eEvery session is \u003cstrong\u003elive on Zoom\u003c\/strong\u003e — and every session is \u003cstrong\u003erecorded\u003c\/strong\u003e and added to your personal Teachable library, alongside more than 20 dedicated practices and 48 micro-practices that you'll keep for life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe advantage of being live is real.\u003c\/strong\u003e When you show up live, I can respond to \u003cem\u003eyour\u003c\/em\u003e specific challenges in the moment, point out the nuances that don't come through in a recording, and adjust the practice when something particular is alive in the room. You also get the company of other practitioners — which is often the difference between a course you finished and a practice you kept.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnd life happens.\u003c\/strong\u003e If you miss a week, the recording is there. If a skill needs revisiting, the recording is there. If you want to go at your own pace, the full library waits for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eShow up live when you can. Catch up when you can't. Return as often as you need to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eWho this is for\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis course is for you if you are —\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eCurious about mindfulness and want something more practical than an app and more accessible than just meditation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eReturning to practice after a long pause and looking for fresh ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eA caregiver, leader, parent, teacher, or creative whose work depends on staying present and steady.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eA long-time meditator who wants a structured way to bring practice into ethics, relationships, and daily decisions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSomeone who senses there must be more to mindfulness than calm — and wants to find out what.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eNo prior experience required. No tradition required. Only a willingness to show up — and even that, you can practice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eCohorts and schedule\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSummer Cohort\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003eTuesday,\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eJuly 7\u003c\/strong\u003e through \u003cstrong\u003eTuesday\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eAugust 25, 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eTuesdays, 7:00–8:30 PM Eastern Time \u003cem\u003eTaught live from Amherst, Massachusetts. Best suited for participants in the Americas.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFall Cohort\u003c\/strong\u003e — Tuesday, \u003cstrong\u003eOctober 6\u003c\/strong\u003e through Tuesday, November\u003cstrong\u003e 24, 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eTuesdays, 7:00–8:30 PM India Standard Time \u003cem\u003eTaught live from India. Best suited for participants in Asia, Europe, and early-rising Americans.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eTwo cohorts, two time zones — designed for global access. Each cohort is intentionally small to keep the conversations intimate and the practice personal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eWho I am\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eI'm Dr. Shalini B Bahl. I teach Mindful Marketing at the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, and I am the founder of Sama Life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eMy work braids together more than twenty years of Vipassana practice with award-winning academic research, MBSR and Search Inside Yourself certifications, and two terms of public service on the Amherst Town Council — where the \u003cem\u003eReturn–Listen–Begin\u003c\/em\u003e framework was forged under real pressure. My book \u003cem\u003eReturn to Mindfulness\u003c\/em\u003e received the \u003cstrong\u003eInternational Impact Book Award\u003c\/strong\u003e, and my forthcoming \u003cem\u003eStress Free PhD\u003c\/em\u003e (co-authored with George Milne and Andrew Rohm) extends this work into academic life. In 2025, I was named one of the \u003cstrong\u003eTop 10 Women in the Mindfulness Movement\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis course is built on everything those twenty years of practice and research have taught me about what it actually takes to live with care, intention, and the courage to act — for ourselves and for the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eSama Life is the most complete expression of what I've come to call \u003cem\u003esecond-generation mindfulness\u003c\/em\u003e — practice that moves beyond individual stress relief to support wise decisions, ethical action, and collective well-being. The Skillful Life Foundations Course is the most direct way I know to share it with you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eInvestment — choose what feels right\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis work has been my offering for two decades, and I never want money to be the reason someone misses what they need. Please choose the tier that fits your life right now — every tier receives the same course, the same recordings, and the same welcome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSustaining — $597 \u003c\/strong\u003eFor those who can offer more. Your contribution covers your spot and helps fund a scholarship for someone else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStandard — $397\u003c\/strong\u003e The full cost of teaching, materials, and community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccessible — $197\u003c\/strong\u003e A reduced rate for those navigating financial constraint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePay what's possible — any amount, including $0\u003c\/strong\u003e If even the Accessible tier is out of reach, choose what is possible for you. No application, no questions, no diminished welcome. Your presence and practice are the offering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003eA note on belonging\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eYou belong in this course regardless of your income, your meditation experience, your tradition (or lack of one), your profession, or your story. There is no version of \"doing this right.\" There is only showing up — and beginning again, together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eWhen you're ready, I'd be honored to practice with you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-pre-wrap leading-[1.7]\"\u003e🪷 Shalini\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sama Life","offers":[{"title":"Sustainable \/ Tuesday July 7- August 25 2026 7:00 - 8:30 pm EST","offer_id":49130170581144,"sku":null,"price":597.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Sustainable \/ Tuesday Sep 15 - Nov 3 2026 7:00 - 8:30 pm IST\/2:30–4:00 PM BST","offer_id":49130699620504,"sku":null,"price":597.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard \/ Tuesday July 7- August 25 2026 7:00 - 8:30 pm EST","offer_id":49130187686040,"sku":null,"price":397.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard \/ Tuesday Sep 15 - Nov 3 2026 7:00 - 8:30 pm IST\/2:30–4:00 PM BST","offer_id":49130699653272,"sku":null,"price":597.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Accessible \/ Tuesday July 7- August 25 2026 7:00 - 8:30 pm EST","offer_id":49130187718808,"sku":null,"price":197.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Accessible \/ Tuesday Sep 15 - Nov 3 2026 7:00 - 8:30 pm IST\/2:30–4:00 PM BST","offer_id":49130699686040,"sku":null,"price":597.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0743\/6795\/9192\/files\/skillfullifefoundations3.jpg?v=1779227109","url":"https:\/\/sama-life.myshopify.com\/products\/the-skillful-life-foundations-course","provider":"Sama Life","version":"1.0","type":"link"}