From the Teachings of Spiritual Science

Black and white photo of a psychic development training session with participants seated around a table in focused meditation.

A Glimpse into Early NSSC Study and Practice

People traveled up and down the East Coast to study at the National Spiritual Science Center. During a time of spiritual awareness, transformation, and psychic awakening, students came from diverse religious backgrounds, while others were agnostic.

Here is a glimpse into those teachings.

Psychic Training Excerpt

First Steps in Psychic Development
by Rev. Diane S. Nagorka 1973, National Spiritual Science Center.

Count your blessings. Count them one by one—for your home as a haven for all souls; for your renewed self, filled with God’s healing love; for your oneness and wholeness in the Light.

Be still and let the Light bathe you. Bring your loved ones into the Light with you. Extend that love to those who are not your friends; they also need your blessings. Through serving all God’s children, we grow strong in Spirit and understanding.

Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you. Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
(Luke 6:27–28)

Speak the name of all those you wish to place in the healing Light. Bring to your mind’s eye the total person, remembering each is a perfect creation of a perfect God. God heals. It is this power, flowing through you as an individual and as a group, which restores harmony.

These teachings reflect their time. Spiritual development continues to evolve.

ask the flame keeper about spiritual matters; dreams, spirit, destiny, healing

A Spiritual Science Reflection from Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns — President & Founder, National Spiritual Science Center Historical Society

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Can Psychic Ability Be Taught, or Is It an Inherited Gift?

Spiritual counseling, Psychic mediumship, spiritual healing in DC and Baltimore, reflecting diversity in spiritual gifts

Psychic & Mediumship: Inherent or Learned?

At the National Spiritual Science Center in Washington, DC, meditation was the cornerstone of spiritual development and enlightenment. It wasn’t just about quieting the mind — it was a discipline that helped students refine and strengthen their spiritual gifts and inner power.

Whether in healing, mediumship, clairvoyance, or other forms of psychicism, meditation provided the focus and clarity to unfold those gifts. Some students became more attuned as mediums.  Others deepened as psychics, and still others grew as healers,  But all shared the same foundation: a steady practice of meditation, discipline, and accountability.

Too often, people become uneasy when they hear the word mediumship. But fear usually comes from misunderstanding.  And mediumship, at its core, is simply about communication with Spirit. For some, that may come as messages from loved ones who have crossed over; for others, it may come as guidance from the higher realms. In every form, it is a gift of spiritual connection.

These gifts can manifest whether we are trained or not. Training helps us use them wisely, giving structure and responsibility to what is already our inherent birthright.

Spiritual gifts vary. Meditation at the National Spiritual Science Center wasn’t presented as an instant awakening, but as a significant part of spiritual development. It was one part of a larger process that only deepened what students already carried within.

Those who meditated with clear purpose often found their sensitivity heightened — but meditation alone does not create spiritual gifts.

In the 1970s, The Psychic Observer & Chimes—published under the direction of Rev. Henry J. and Rev. Diane S. Nagorka, announced the establishment of the American Academy of Parapsychology through the National Spiritual Science Center. This collaboration of research and ministry reflected the Center’s long-standing commitment to understanding spiritual gifts as both natural and divine phenomena.

ask the flame keeper about spiritual matters; dreams, spirit, destiny, healing

 

A Spiritual Science Reflection from Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns — President & Founder, National Spiritual Science Center Historical Society

Stay connected — follow our blog for more reflections and insights.

What Is a Spiritual Minister?

spiritual ministers in washington dc and baltimore maryland

Understanding the Role Beyond Religion

 


When You’re Called to Divine Service

Spiritual callings don’t always come through formal ordination, initiation, ancestral rites, or being told by a spiritual leader. They often arrive through a dream, a strong inner knowing, vision, or a profound moment of awakening — guided by the soul.

In 1997, my own calling came in a dream—one that left me in tears and full of questions. Not knowing where to turn, I reached out to a cousin I trusted — a devout Christian woman, passionate about her faith. She pointed me toward a church her godson pastored.

But what I experienced there didn’t align with the inner truth stirring within me.

The leaders practiced a form of “healing,” but something felt off. I wasn’t even a spiritual scientist at the time—I was still walking a Christian path. That experience, however, marked the beginning of my transition.

He preached, saying those seeking positions just wanted to be “superstars” — implying folks had to start at the bottom and earn their place. I truly believed the church would be welcoming, but I quickly learned that Christian churches often weren’t. What he said reflected how many churches operate — you don’t grow because you’re called, you grow by playing into hierarchy and favoritism. Perplexed, I didn’t know what my next move would be, so I left it to my inner God.

And that week, Spirit answered.

A newsletter arrived from a metaphysical church I had previously visited. It listed a class: Platform Healing. I read the description and said to my inner God, “It’s a start.” That newsletter became my confirmation.

I enrolled, completed the course, and served in that church as a spiritual healer for 1+ years. Eventually, like all souls called to grow, it was time for me to walk my own path.

What Is a Spiritual Minister?

In spiritual science, a minister is not simply a title — it is a role of service grounded in universal principles, personal development, and conscious spiritual alignment.

A spiritual minister does not represent a single religious tradition. Instead, they serve from a place of inner attunement, metaphysical understanding, and respect for the God within each soul.

We recognize that people are gifted in many ways:

    • Clairvoyance (clear seeing)
    • Clairaudience (clear hearing)
    • Clairsentience (clear feeling)
    • Prophecy, spiritual healing, intuitive knowing, or divine wisdom

These gifts are sacred inheritances entrusted by God — carried through the bloodline and safeguarded by the Divine and ancestral angels.

When trained and developed consciously, these gifts are used with integrity, responsibility, accountability, and always harmlessly.

Why Traditional Religion Often Suppresses Spiritual Gifts

Religious institutions may preach about gifts of the spirit, but often limit them to what’s sanctioned by hierarchy. When spiritual gifts appear outside of that control — in independent healers, dreamers, seers, and intuitives — they are sometimes dismissed, demonized, or labeled “dangerous.”

But spiritual gifts are not meant to be contained by dogma.
They are assigned by the Divine before birth — and they require only discipline, humility, love, and discernment.

Why the World Needs Spiritual Ministers Now

As people walk away from traditional religion, many are not rejecting God — they are reclaiming their spiritual autonomy.

Spiritual ministers serve those who:

    • Are spiritually gifted but misunderstood
    • Seek metaphysical healing and growth
    • Desire sacred rituals rooted in spiritual science
    • Wish to walk their path without fear or guilt
    • Want teachers and guides who see beyond doctrine

Spiritual ministers meet people where they are and help them connect with their higher self and inner God.

A Note on Labels

Though I’ve sometimes used the term “non-denominational” for familiarity, it doesn’t truly represent what I do. Spiritual ministry is a path of service, soul development, and conscious alignment — not a label for convenience.

Many Expressions, One Source

Spirituality has many expressions. The Science of the Spirit teaches that God is within all things, and that spiritual growth is personal, evolving, and eternal.

As spiritual ministers in the metaphysical tradition, we honor that diversity — and encourage each soul to develop its gifts with purpose, responsibility, and love.

Close Reflection

There are places the soul can visit that no plane, boat, or footpath can reach. The temple in Spiritland is one such place — existing in the unseen, reachable only through meditation, stillness, and divine alignment. It is not a physical sanctuary, but a sacred vision available to those who seek truth, knowledge, and wisdom on the astral plane.

🕊️ If you’ve ever felt called, gifted, or disconnected from traditional religion, you are not alone — and you are not lost. Your gifts are real. Your path is sacred. And your journey is valid.

 


 

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A Spiritual Science Reflection by Rev. Starlene Joyner BurnsPresident & Founder, National Spiritual Science Center Historical Society

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DC Spiritual Science Healing: The NSSC Way

Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns offering a five-minute spiritual healing using the NSSC DC modality, facilitating divine-level healing.

Spiritual Healing

Spiritual healing, as practiced at the National Spiritual Science Center (NSSC) before its closing, was both simple and profound. Unlike many other systems I studied, the NSSC healing modality used a unique approach to moving energy along the chakras. Their process directed the flow upward, toward the Inner God.

This approach was designed to align the seeker with Spirit, creating a channel for divine energy to work through the healer. The healer acts as a conduit, holding focused intention while the energy moves through the body, going where it is needed most.

At NSSC, healing was an integral part of Sunday services. Each service began with a 30-minute healing period, with two trained healers ready to serve. It was considered an honor to take part in this sacred work, offering seekers a direct experience of Spirit before the message even began.

When I’m working with someone in the NSSC way, I often feel subtle vibrations — sometimes gentle, causing me to work close, sometimes strong, causing me to work at arm’s length. The strength of their aura field determines everything.

Healing sessions at NSSC were typically short, concentrated five-minute periods. These opened the door for Spirit to do its work without overwhelming the seeker.

While the energy flows into the healee, approving it is the role of the healee’s soul.

The NSSC method is one of many five-minute spiritual healing modalities used in metaphysical churches and centers today. NSSC not only taught the methodology but also the theory, which is needed to do spiritual healing.

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If you want energy healing, join the next FreeHealing-USA in-person session or request distant healing through FreeHealing-USA. The energy always meets you where you are.

See video for a glimpse of spiritual healing in action. 👇🏾

 

 


 

Need a spiritual cleansing? Follow our blog for more reflections — or explore our feature on Psychic & Mediumship Wisdom to learn how spiritual gifts unfold through meditation and discipline.

A Spiritual Science Reflection by Rev. Starlene Joyner BurnsPresident & Founder, National Spiritual Science Center Historical Society

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Living Spiritual Science

A Journey of Transformation

Introduction

Living Spiritual Science means fully integrating spiritual principles into every aspect of daily life. It’s not just a belief system or a set of practices with rituals; it is a way of being, grounded in wisdom, personal growth, and the pursuit of higher truths. For me, it’s a lifelong commitment to embodying spiritual knowledge through consistent practice and inner reflection.

A Way of Life

Spiritual Science has also shaped how I perceive the world, interact with others, and maintain my personal boundaries—both spiritually and physically—for my spiritual well-being. As a lifelong student of spiritual growth, I practice what I have been taught, whether through foundational studies, personal experiences, inner teachers, the teachings of others, or life’s many spiritual surprises. Spiritual Science is not something I study to become a spiritual leader; it is how I choose to live my life, grow, and consistently align with higher truths and practices.

Rev. Starlene Joyner Burns sharing insights on living a Spiritual Science lifestyle and personal growth.Practicing Spiritual Science requires balance, discipline, and consistency. It’s not about constantly seeking higher spiritual experiences but about maintaining awareness, care, and growth through every phase of life’s lessons. Whether life feels aligned or chaotic, staying grounded in spiritual principles helps navigate challenges and stay true to one’s path.

Final Thoughts

This is just the beginning of exploring living Spiritual Science. In Part 2, we will dive deeper into the practical aspects of daily integration—how to maintain balance, practice awareness, and stay spiritually grounded. Stay tuned for more insights into living a Spiritual Science lifestyle.


Honoring the legacy of Living Spiritual Science.

A Spiritual Science Reflection by Rev. Starlene Joyner BurnsPresident & Founder, National Spiritual Science Center Historical Society

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