Soulmates are a difficult idea to grasp. It makes sense that the majority of people who believe in them—this writer does not, for the sake of candor—do so because it gives them comfort to know that someone is willing to accept them for who they are. The thought of finding the one, the ideal mate, the perfect fit, is as reassuring as any. Or, as put out by suspected cult leaders Jeff and Shaleia Ayan, like a twin flame. On paper, it sounds very nice. But as the stunning docuseries Escapes Twin Flames on Netflix reveals, the couple’s schemes go beyond simply assisting others in finding great love.
The three episodes, which are directed by Cecilia Peck, focus on how Jeff and Shaleia take advantage of thousands of people by pretending to help them find their “twin flame.” There are currently 71,000 members in their Facebook group. If you’re curious about the meaning behind the phrase, it’s the conviction that the person you are destined to spend eternity with is your karmic soulmate. The pair claims to have a god-like power to identify people who belong together, taking advantage of this notion and their clients’ intense desire for it to be real. What does it matter if it means practically making a 19-year-old lady living with a 30-year-old man who is unemployed and has a criminal record? or pushing customers to engage in risky double-crossing with prospective partners who are already hitched? Even those are hardly the worst aspects. Escaping Twin Flames will make you angry, but it’s a hard but important movie that reveals the problematic Twin Flames Universe of the Ayans and explains how they can deceive people looking for a community.
In order to help prospects and surprises through virtual meetings, Jeff and Shaleia’s MLM model teaches individuals how to find and stay with their twin flame. Lessons ultimately entail shouting, badgering, and several other forms of psychological abuse, according to ETF’s footage from the meetings and conversations with several women who have since left. Their classes, which start at a pitiful $222 per month, assist couples in “ascending to harmonious union.” Additionally, there is sex advice regarding how, whether or not she wants to, it is the Divine Feminine’s responsibility to appease the Divine Masculine. (It will be exasperating, I promise.)
Thankfully, ETF swiftly reveals Jeff and Shaleia’s true talent—vulnerability overall. Le ripping people off of their money, affection, and souls while tearing families apart. They rely on cutting out their victims from everyone in their lives, just like any skilled cult leader would. The documentary series shows how they heinously take advantage of people’s heartbreaks, loneliness, pain, and fragility. It’s abhorrent, made worse by the evident fact that they’re both incredibly irritable and take advantage of helpful instruments to support their egos and lives.
It’s simple to observe now and ask yourself, “Why would anyone buy into the crap Jeff and Shaleia are selling?” They are only typical toxic white grifters. The audience can see their huge plan from the first episode. Naturally, we are rolling our eyes at them and everyone else who chooses to take their nonsense at face value. You’ll be nearly shouting at the screen by episodes two and three, pleading with everyone trapped here to leave immediately. “I wouldn’t fall for this foolishness” is another likely reply. This kind of response is elicited by most cult documentaries. Fortunately, Escaping Twin Flames makes a decent effort to comprehend the reasoning behind everything.
The attempt to explore how humans want a sense of connection and how Jeff and Shaleia are especially adept at exploiting this need makes the docuseries heartbreaking. They actively seek out people in need of a safe haven; they teach their followers to scour social media for posts discussing loneliness or PTSD. Once ensnared, they take advantage of participants through a variety of ruses, such as Divine Dishes. They’ll list products and recipes to boost your sex drive for $100 a month. (One participant gained 70 pounds in nine months as a result of the high amount of heavy red meat.)
Moreover, and this is horrifying—I won’t give away any more specific details—they force certain women to switch genders. It’s not a method to celebrate identity, which should have been recognized, or the trans community. Instead, it’s Jeff and Shaleia controlling people’s decisions, emotions, and behavior in an effort to seem strong and, most importantly, correct.
You are not mistaken if you think it would be too agonizing to witness. Nonetheless, as the ladies who have escaped consider their experiences, ETF focuses a solemn emphasis on them. The 19-year-old Marlee and other others, including former TFU coach Keely Griffin, are interviewed in-depth in the episodes. The episodes are also told from Louise Cole’s point of view. Stephanie, her daughter, is an insider at TFU and hasn’t spoken to the family in three years. Stephanie’s twin sisters Paula and Louise are interviewed in-depth by ETF, who reveal how the family’s dynamics have been damaged by Jeff and Shaleia’s abusive ways.
