A new Netflix series shows how Twin Flames founders twisted Hindu spiritualism for money

Among a slew of disgusting allegations against the Twin Flames Universe, the brainchild of Jeff and Shaleia Ayan, seems to have mastered the art of spiritual cherry-picking, creating a concoction of Hindu spiritualism and New Age mysticism to advance their exploitative interests.

What

The latest Netflix docuseries, Escaping Twin Flames, explores the accounts and testimonies of individuals who survived the eponymous cult that preys on people looking for love, and pulls back the veil on how this predatory community has hurt these people.

Who

The Twin Flames group appropriates elements from New Age spiritualism, blending them with Hindu, Buddhist, and evangelical Christian ideologies to construct a narrative centred around the notion of "twin flames" that was popularised by Elizabeth Clare Prophet, an American spiritualist (read: fascist cult leader).

The group’s founders and leaders, Jeff and Shaleia Ayan, seem to have taken this idea and turned it into a cash cow, offering a "Twin Flame Ascension Course" that promises to unlock the secrets of eternal love – for a price, of course.

These two morons?!!!!!! Really?????? #twinflames pic.twitter.com/JbjmipbJQb

— Mattie (@MattieP114) November 12, 2023

Hindu appropriation

To add a touch of exotic flair, the Ayan's raid the spiritual thesaurus to legitimise their endeavours by sprinkling phrases like "Om Kali Ma" into their activities and throwing in some Sanskrit for good measure.

Of course, the irony of the Netflix docuseries having premiered on Kali Puja weekend is not lost in the slightest.

Jeff Ayan even commemorates the groups first in-person meeting in New Jersey with a prompt, "I would like to invite you to share an 'Om' or two with me." Because nothing says genuine spiritual enlightenment like using sacred phrases as accessories in your profit-driven venture.

The “Twin Flames” documentary is crazy bc the cult leader isn’t even charismatic or articulate. He sounds exactly like every immature high school bro

— Agent (@Agent2MD) November 10, 2023

By capitalising on the exotic allure of spiritual healing Twin Flames Universe not only bastardised Hindu beliefs but also contributed to the commodification of new age practices - in essence, they've managed to turn enlightenment into a profit-driven spectacle. 

How

Yet, Twin Flames Universe goes beyond your run-of-the-mill matchmaking service.

• The group emphasises the practice of the 'mirror exercise' for self-introspection and healing, with the more nefarious agenda of  victim-blaming and moral degradation.
• The group extends its influence beyond online courses, establishing the Church of Union in 2019 with the ambitious goal of unifying all religions under one spiritual umbrella, with the not-so-subtle motivations of receiving tax breaks as a religious body.
• They also introduce an intrusive and highly dangerous "Mind Alignment Process", marketed as a treatment for PTSD, that targets and preys upon trauma (or the absence of it) in vulnerable individuals. 
• According to former members, Jeff Ayan employs cult-like coercion and multilevel marketing tactics, creating a spiritual pyramid scheme where the higher you ascend, the closer you get to your twin flame – and the deeper their pockets become. It's not just about finding love; it's about finding love while someone else finds your wallet.

Watching the Twin Flames cult doc on Netflix. They casually drop in E2 that the head mind controller is a US Army Lt. Col. who uses false memory sessions designed to destabilize members and separate them from their families. Clinical trial? Securing grants from the Army? pic.twitter.com/HlGp3XI1hN

— ogb (@ogbdigital) November 10, 2023

The group's activities underscore the dangers of distorting spiritual concepts for personal profit and power, leading to the erosion of genuine spiritual principles and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals seeking enlightenment and love.

And to think this isn’t even the worst that the Ayan’s and by extension, the Twin Flames Universe is capable of and has perpetrated.

Escaping Twin Flames is one of the worst cult documentaries I’ve ever seen, pure unsettling evil beyond belief. I need Jeff and Shaleia behind bars for what they did to those poor women. pic.twitter.com/iPioKQPyzD

— chris🧼 (@bleachy_chris) November 12, 2023

Escaping Twin Flames is now streaming on Netflix.