“The faculty of voluntarily bringing back a wandering attention, over and over again, is the very root of judgment, character and will. An education which should improve this faculty would be the education par excellence.”
- William James
(The Principles of Psychology, p. 463)
- William James
(The Principles of Psychology, p. 463)
Barbara Veale Smith
Barbara has a rich background in education, contemplative practice, community service and
attention training. She is a two time graduate of Boston College, earning a BA in History and Economics in 1985 and an M. Ed. (Masters of Education) in Religious Education in 1994. She is also a Psychosynthesis, Open Focus™& Board Certified Coach.
She is committed to transforming consciousness toward the unfolding of a just, sustainable, peaceful planet.
Barbara was formally introduced to contemplative practice and mindfulness while serving in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in 1985, but her deep love of the sacred was nourished throughout childhood. In the JVC, she served as the Assistant Director at Jobs with Peace for two years which gave her a great beginning in the world of non-profit organizations. She went on to serve as the Communications and Marketing Director for the United Way of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and later served seven years on the Board of Directors of the Notre Dame Mission Volunteer program, a non-profit organization and AmeriCorps partner that places 400+ full-time volunteers in low-income communities to promote literacy and education.
She began her teaching career in 1993, sharing her love of the world's religious traditions and contemplative practices with high school students. In 2006 she apprenticed herself more deeply to silence, guided by several non-dual teachers, while also raising a family and actively serving her community. In the spring of 2014, she was thrilled to co-create the contemplative practice curriculum and assist in training the leadership team for the inaugural PULSE Institute, a project of Sustained Dialogue.
She is a Board Certified Transpersonal (NonDual) Life Coach, specializing in Open Focus™ attention training and Psychosynthesis (a spiritual psychology, that facilitates embodied living of one's purpose, meaning and values); and a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader and Teacher. She is a life-long learner and educator, with a passion for peace and a heart for service. With her husband Mark, she is the co-founder of Harmony Lake Ranch. Barbara and Mark have two young adult children, Conor and Tara. She is the author of The Invisible Present, a book about attention, being human and being happy.
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Barbara has a rich background in education, contemplative practice, community service and
attention training. She is a two time graduate of Boston College, earning a BA in History and Economics in 1985 and an M. Ed. (Masters of Education) in Religious Education in 1994. She is also a Psychosynthesis, Open Focus™& Board Certified Coach.
She is committed to transforming consciousness toward the unfolding of a just, sustainable, peaceful planet.
Barbara was formally introduced to contemplative practice and mindfulness while serving in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in 1985, but her deep love of the sacred was nourished throughout childhood. In the JVC, she served as the Assistant Director at Jobs with Peace for two years which gave her a great beginning in the world of non-profit organizations. She went on to serve as the Communications and Marketing Director for the United Way of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and later served seven years on the Board of Directors of the Notre Dame Mission Volunteer program, a non-profit organization and AmeriCorps partner that places 400+ full-time volunteers in low-income communities to promote literacy and education.
She began her teaching career in 1993, sharing her love of the world's religious traditions and contemplative practices with high school students. In 2006 she apprenticed herself more deeply to silence, guided by several non-dual teachers, while also raising a family and actively serving her community. In the spring of 2014, she was thrilled to co-create the contemplative practice curriculum and assist in training the leadership team for the inaugural PULSE Institute, a project of Sustained Dialogue.
She is a Board Certified Transpersonal (NonDual) Life Coach, specializing in Open Focus™ attention training and Psychosynthesis (a spiritual psychology, that facilitates embodied living of one's purpose, meaning and values); and a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader and Teacher. She is a life-long learner and educator, with a passion for peace and a heart for service. With her husband Mark, she is the co-founder of Harmony Lake Ranch. Barbara and Mark have two young adult children, Conor and Tara. She is the author of The Invisible Present, a book about attention, being human and being happy.
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What People Say:
"I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Barbara for nearly 30 years, and in a variety of different capacities. Her extraordinary talent, incredible adaptability, and consistent dedication have been an inspiration to me and to those around her. She adapts her presentations for different audiences in order to communicate well. Her gift of intelligence combined with her unusual creativity make her a natural teacher for peace. Her talents, clear mind, and experience add value and spirit to any organization, community, or project that she serves. "
- Katherine (Sissy) Corr, SND
Executive Director, Notre Dame Mission Volunteer/AmeriCorps Program, Baltimore, Maryland
“Barbara's workshop is down to earth - with simple yet potent language of the experience of awareness. In Eastern traditions, this is an experience of the non-dual state of consciousness. Barbara speaks and transmits this consciousness in a user friendly way that can be understood. As the mind grasps the concepts, and experientially exercises are introduced, one has the possibility of sensing awareness as the fundamental ground of one's being. As more boundlessness arises, people experience themselves as open and fluid, able to meet what is presented in everyday reality. This is very exciting to be shown this in a simple and direct way, and the benefits are significant.”
Michael Jaro, MA, LMHC
Psychotherapist, Mindfulness-Body Oriented Counseling
"Barbara is a visionary. She channels creativity, endless energy, great organizational skills and a desire to improve things around her, working hard to turn visions into reality. I have always appreciated her attention to detail, and I am amazed to see how well she can juggle her time and energy to share her talents. Her warmth, integrity and thoroughness are an asset. During the time I have known Barbara, she has more than earned my utmost respect both as a passionately involved community leader and a warm, caring human being."
- Denise Roberts
Former International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme Coordinator/Mathematics Teacher, Redmond High School, Redmond, Oregon. Denise currently teaches in the IB Diploma Programme at Bend Senior High School, Bend Oregon.
"While working at the International Institute for Sustained Dialogue, I was introduced to Barbara as a potential consultant on a national, college retreat program I was building. The retreat focused on dialogue, diversity/inclusion, empathy, and mindfulness. I engaged Barbara’s services to design curriculum both introducing retreat participants to mindfulness work and supporting the development of their own practices. Barbara evinced a passion for this field from our earliest conversations - passion not only for contemplative practices generally, but also for practices tailored specifically to our audience of motivated college students. From day one, she sought to understand our underlying goals and strategies to better situate the mindfulness curriculum within the greater context of the retreat. The work she produced exceeded expectations - incorporating “practical” mindfulness skills for college life and skills for self-exploration and self-awareness as young adults. She developed original, tailored curriculum - a rarity in this field. Barbara offers a unique perspective in what is often a sea of sameness. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to leverage Barbara’s talents for the benefit of our students’ practices of self-inquiry, mindful interactions, and the start of a journey of profound growth."
- Christopher Scoville, Former Director PULSE Institute & Retreat at the Sustained Dialogue Campus Network, Washington, DC. Christopher currently serves as a non profit organization management consultant.
"I have worked with Barbara on many occasions. She radiates a deep value for spiritual deepening and transformation in herself and others. Barbara maintains a view of the big picture while also being able to track the particular needs of any situation as they arise. I recommend her highly and without reservation."
- Randi Ameya Specterman, Ph. D.
Open Gate Sangha Registrar & Mukti Events Manager, Open Gate Sangha, San Jose, California
"Barbara is a connector of people and she has phenomenal strengths in facilitating activities, discussions, and contemplative experiences. She is one of the most intelligent, compassionate, and intentional women with whom I have had the privilege to work. Barbara has a true aptitude for leadership."
- Kathleen Cullen
Director of Campus Ministry, Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
"I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Barbara for nearly 30 years, and in a variety of different capacities. Her extraordinary talent, incredible adaptability, and consistent dedication have been an inspiration to me and to those around her. She adapts her presentations for different audiences in order to communicate well. Her gift of intelligence combined with her unusual creativity make her a natural teacher for peace. Her talents, clear mind, and experience add value and spirit to any organization, community, or project that she serves. "
- Katherine (Sissy) Corr, SND
Executive Director, Notre Dame Mission Volunteer/AmeriCorps Program, Baltimore, Maryland
“Barbara's workshop is down to earth - with simple yet potent language of the experience of awareness. In Eastern traditions, this is an experience of the non-dual state of consciousness. Barbara speaks and transmits this consciousness in a user friendly way that can be understood. As the mind grasps the concepts, and experientially exercises are introduced, one has the possibility of sensing awareness as the fundamental ground of one's being. As more boundlessness arises, people experience themselves as open and fluid, able to meet what is presented in everyday reality. This is very exciting to be shown this in a simple and direct way, and the benefits are significant.”
Michael Jaro, MA, LMHC
Psychotherapist, Mindfulness-Body Oriented Counseling
"Barbara is a visionary. She channels creativity, endless energy, great organizational skills and a desire to improve things around her, working hard to turn visions into reality. I have always appreciated her attention to detail, and I am amazed to see how well she can juggle her time and energy to share her talents. Her warmth, integrity and thoroughness are an asset. During the time I have known Barbara, she has more than earned my utmost respect both as a passionately involved community leader and a warm, caring human being."
- Denise Roberts
Former International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme Coordinator/Mathematics Teacher, Redmond High School, Redmond, Oregon. Denise currently teaches in the IB Diploma Programme at Bend Senior High School, Bend Oregon.
"While working at the International Institute for Sustained Dialogue, I was introduced to Barbara as a potential consultant on a national, college retreat program I was building. The retreat focused on dialogue, diversity/inclusion, empathy, and mindfulness. I engaged Barbara’s services to design curriculum both introducing retreat participants to mindfulness work and supporting the development of their own practices. Barbara evinced a passion for this field from our earliest conversations - passion not only for contemplative practices generally, but also for practices tailored specifically to our audience of motivated college students. From day one, she sought to understand our underlying goals and strategies to better situate the mindfulness curriculum within the greater context of the retreat. The work she produced exceeded expectations - incorporating “practical” mindfulness skills for college life and skills for self-exploration and self-awareness as young adults. She developed original, tailored curriculum - a rarity in this field. Barbara offers a unique perspective in what is often a sea of sameness. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to leverage Barbara’s talents for the benefit of our students’ practices of self-inquiry, mindful interactions, and the start of a journey of profound growth."
- Christopher Scoville, Former Director PULSE Institute & Retreat at the Sustained Dialogue Campus Network, Washington, DC. Christopher currently serves as a non profit organization management consultant.
"I have worked with Barbara on many occasions. She radiates a deep value for spiritual deepening and transformation in herself and others. Barbara maintains a view of the big picture while also being able to track the particular needs of any situation as they arise. I recommend her highly and without reservation."
- Randi Ameya Specterman, Ph. D.
Open Gate Sangha Registrar & Mukti Events Manager, Open Gate Sangha, San Jose, California
"Barbara is a connector of people and she has phenomenal strengths in facilitating activities, discussions, and contemplative experiences. She is one of the most intelligent, compassionate, and intentional women with whom I have had the privilege to work. Barbara has a true aptitude for leadership."
- Kathleen Cullen
Director of Campus Ministry, Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
