 Barbara Veale Smith
Barbara Veale Smith
Executive Director As the founder of Undefended Heart, Barbara welcomes the opportunity to partner with you to meet your goals in the arenas of attention training and the cultivation of peace. She has a rich background in education, community service, attention training and contemplative practice. 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. READ MORE |
“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) |
Testimonials
Undefended Heart Training Attendees
Have Given Average Scores of 4 (on a 1 - 4 Scale) when evaluating
Relevance, Delivery and Overall Program
"Thanks Barbara for a remarkable workshop. It was truly transformative because not only did you share profound concepts you gave us the experience of shifting consciousness in ways we can use in everyday life. You reminded us that the quality of our attention is always within our control and has a deep impact on our experience of life moment to moment. Your skill as a facilitator engaged us throughout the workshop and the material you shared is still resonating in my heart and life."
- Jean Gran
Holistic Money Coach
"Your wisdom, kindness and presence radiate. You have inner power, love and light that illuminate a room."
- Sara Vatore, Undefended Heart Program Participant
Peak Performance, Psychosynthesis & Somatic Coach
"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
"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) V. 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’ve been really stressed lately with college admissions and decisions, and I've been very on-off panicking for a while. What you taught me really helps!! I was impressed with the results and it has been helping to keep me sane. Thank you so much for that. I am glad you are out there teaching this material. More people really ought to know about it."
- A. H., age 17, Undefended Heart Participant
"I want more! Your space and living knowledge have been inspiring to me. Thank you!"
- S. N., Undefended Heart Participant
"While working at the International Institute for Sustained Dialogue, I was introduced to Barbara Veale Smith 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, Principal, CEGS Consulting
(Program Development, Strategy, Communications & Fundraising)
Duke University, Co-Founder of Common Ground Inclusion & Diversity Retreat
"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
"Through the good motivation you can help others and teach. "
- Comments following a private meeting with Geshe Gyaltsen (translator to the Dalai Lama)
Gaden Shartse Dokhang Khangtsen Monastery, India
"I had the opportunity to attend Barbara’s recent workshop “Keys for Conscious Relating through the Both/And of Human Being”. There were many workshops to chose from at the conference but the title itself invited me to reflect on how I might be relating UN- consciously in my life and I was curious to learn more. As soon as I walked in to the room, I was immediately drawn in by all the visuals hanging from the walls and ceiling, inviting me to engage ALL my senses beyond my default of "just thinking”. The workshop was both theoretical as well as experiential and one exercise that stood out for me was the "me/not me". We were given a sheet of paper with 2 figures on it - one said “This is Me” and the other said “This is Not Me” and instructed to write qualities about ourselves we felt fit those descriptions. Using the figures and the descriptions we’d written, Barbara posed a number of questions that really helped me notice ways I imposed negative feelings on others based on negative feelings I had about myself. In addition to applying it in my own life, I’ve used versions of it with some of my clients and had great results. Barbara’s presentation style is inviting, warm and enthusiastic and I would encourage anyone who has the chance, to sign up for one of her workshops!"
- Marjorie Hope Gross
Psychosynthesist, Holistic Counselor and Life Coach
"This course took what I've learned and known in 25 years of awakening practices and provided a simple powerful way for me to strengthen and deepen my current understanding and expression of practice in all areas of my life. Your visuals were wonderful and the time was well balanced and cadenced."
- M. W., Undefended Heart Participant
"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
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.)
Undefended Heart Training Attendees
Have Given Average Scores of 4 (on a 1 - 4 Scale) when evaluating
Relevance, Delivery and Overall Program
"Thanks Barbara for a remarkable workshop. It was truly transformative because not only did you share profound concepts you gave us the experience of shifting consciousness in ways we can use in everyday life. You reminded us that the quality of our attention is always within our control and has a deep impact on our experience of life moment to moment. Your skill as a facilitator engaged us throughout the workshop and the material you shared is still resonating in my heart and life."
- Jean Gran
Holistic Money Coach
"Your wisdom, kindness and presence radiate. You have inner power, love and light that illuminate a room."
- Sara Vatore, Undefended Heart Program Participant
Peak Performance, Psychosynthesis & Somatic Coach
"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
"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) V. 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’ve been really stressed lately with college admissions and decisions, and I've been very on-off panicking for a while. What you taught me really helps!! I was impressed with the results and it has been helping to keep me sane. Thank you so much for that. I am glad you are out there teaching this material. More people really ought to know about it."
- A. H., age 17, Undefended Heart Participant
"I want more! Your space and living knowledge have been inspiring to me. Thank you!"
- S. N., Undefended Heart Participant
"While working at the International Institute for Sustained Dialogue, I was introduced to Barbara Veale Smith 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, Principal, CEGS Consulting
(Program Development, Strategy, Communications & Fundraising)
Duke University, Co-Founder of Common Ground Inclusion & Diversity Retreat
"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
"Through the good motivation you can help others and teach. "
- Comments following a private meeting with Geshe Gyaltsen (translator to the Dalai Lama)
Gaden Shartse Dokhang Khangtsen Monastery, India
"I had the opportunity to attend Barbara’s recent workshop “Keys for Conscious Relating through the Both/And of Human Being”. There were many workshops to chose from at the conference but the title itself invited me to reflect on how I might be relating UN- consciously in my life and I was curious to learn more. As soon as I walked in to the room, I was immediately drawn in by all the visuals hanging from the walls and ceiling, inviting me to engage ALL my senses beyond my default of "just thinking”. The workshop was both theoretical as well as experiential and one exercise that stood out for me was the "me/not me". We were given a sheet of paper with 2 figures on it - one said “This is Me” and the other said “This is Not Me” and instructed to write qualities about ourselves we felt fit those descriptions. Using the figures and the descriptions we’d written, Barbara posed a number of questions that really helped me notice ways I imposed negative feelings on others based on negative feelings I had about myself. In addition to applying it in my own life, I’ve used versions of it with some of my clients and had great results. Barbara’s presentation style is inviting, warm and enthusiastic and I would encourage anyone who has the chance, to sign up for one of her workshops!"
- Marjorie Hope Gross
Psychosynthesist, Holistic Counselor and Life Coach
"This course took what I've learned and known in 25 years of awakening practices and provided a simple powerful way for me to strengthen and deepen my current understanding and expression of practice in all areas of my life. Your visuals were wonderful and the time was well balanced and cadenced."
- M. W., Undefended Heart Participant
"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
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.)
