Tucked away in an unassuming office complex is a place dedicated to helping souls grow. The Spiritual Arts Institute, a nonprofit educational organization, has been offering metaphysical training and instruction for nine years at its Encinitas location, after moving here from Los Angeles. Its mission is to help people accelerate their spiritual growth.
The institute was founded by Dimitri Moraitis and Barbara Martin in 2005 in Los Angeles. In 2016, they moved to Encinitas where they offer classes and live events in metaphysical studies. The pair has also written five books and produced numerous videos, covering topics like the healing power of the aura, karma and reincarnation, and spiritual awakening.
“Metaphysics is a science,” explains Moraitis. “If you follow the prescribed teachings, you will get results. It’s like a beautiful piece of music. You don’t have to hard-sell somebody, just let them experience it. We’re trying to attract people who are already meant to be part of the work.”
The Spiritual Arts Institute currently has 220 students, including a robust online global community. Moraitis says they plan to double that number in the next few years by expanding their reach and publishing two new books. There are also plans to open a retreat center in the future.
“We’re not trying to drag people into a workshop,” he goes on. “There are some organizations that do that, and they’re making money. A lot of our competitors are for-profit. The reason we’re nonprofit is that we’re trying to take a whole different tone to the process.”
Moraitis was working in the film industry in Los Angeles when he met Martin at a dinner party. “I knew nothing about metaphysics. I hardly even knew what the word was. I was having these inspirational moments, but I didn’t have a label for it. The first time I meditated, it was like this ancient door opening up. It felt very familiar. Barbara gave language to what I was experiencing. By the end of the night, I found my teacher, and we started working together right away. I knew I was meant to help her in her mission.”
Martin ed away in 2024 and now Moraitis is at the helm. “She laid down a spiritual foundation and I think we’re doing a very good job of honoring her legacy and keeping the work going. Also, the student population as a whole has greatly matured. We have people that have been doing the work for many years, and now they’re starting to teach. So there’s a much bigger platform than there was when we came down here.”
Carmel Valley resident Trupti Multani started taking classes at the Spiritual Arts Institute in 2014, after reading one of Dimitri and Barbara’s books, Change Your Aura, Change Your Life. She’s continued to take classes for more than 10 years now and also volunteers for the institute.
“My experience has been nothing short of amazing,” she explains. “For a very long time, I was seeking a deeper connection with my own true self, and I found the answers here. Of course, the work is challenging and sometimes very hard! Letting go of past beliefs, patterns, hurts, guilts, anxieties, and fears is not easy to do but with the divine light meditations, it truly is possible. As a result, I’m more at peace, more comionate. I’m more centered in my relationships. I’ve grown in confidence and feel constant gratitude for having found SAI.”
Mast Goebel lives in San Marcos and was looking for classes to his personal development. He found the institute in an online search and took his first class in 2013. He’s taken more than 30 classes since then.
“Although metaphysics was new to me, the lessons were grounding, practical, and made sense,” he says. “The teachings were clear and easy to apply. This program has given me opportunities to heal and grow, which is why I’m still here! There’s always more to discover, making the journey exciting.”
Goebel says it’s helped him in many different aspects of his life, not just in his spiritual development. “Through these teachings, I’ve learned to be a better person, more understanding, patient, comionate, and genuinely happy. I used to struggle with social anxiety, but now I can interact with anyone.”
“There’s never been a better time to grow spiritually than today,” says Moraitis. “And if you’ve had the spiritual calling, you need to do everything in your power to make it a higher priority in your life. The institute offers sustained and training. Every one of us has a spiritual potential, and one of the goals in our life is to reach that potential. The primary goal of the institute is to help you accomplish that.”
Spiritual Arts Institute is located at 527 Encinitas Boulevard, Suite 206, and offers in-person healing events, training programs, workshops, and certifications in metaphysical teaching. For more information, go to www.spiritualarts.org.
