Jeff and Shaleia Ayan are convinced that they’re not running a cult. But former members of their online spiritual community say otherwise.
Together, the real-life couple oversee Twin Flames Universe, a program that preys on those who are struggling to find love in their lives and promises to pair them with their soulmate “created for you by God” through a series of classes on modern dating, self help and spiritualism. Per its official website, Twin Flames Universe offers its clients “the keys to liberation in love and life,” using Jeff and Shaleia’s own relationship as the role model. Within Twin Flames Universe is Twin Flame Ascension School (TFAS), an intensive (and costly) education plan where Jeff and Shaleia preach to their desperate, lovesick students.
Much of the ugliness behind Jeff and Shaleia’s teachings was swept under the rug for years. But in February 2020, it all finally came to light after a Vice article published several claims of manipulation brought forward by former Twin Flames Universe students. In December of that year, Jeff and Shaleia found themselves yet again at the center of controversy when journalist Alice Hines wrote a Vanity Fair exposé on their so-called self help program. In addition to manipulation, the article detailed allegations of financial abuse, emotional abuse and forced gender conversion.
Twin Flames Universe along with Jeff and Shaleia are explored in “Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe,” a Prime Video docuseries from director Marina Zenovich (“Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired”). Over the course of three episodes, the documentary spotlights the early beginnings of the programs and the horrifying claims against it and its founders. There are interviews with Hines, former Twin Flames Universe members and former friends of Jeff and Shaleia.
Here are the six most shocking moments from the series:
“Desperately Seeking Soulmate” is currently available for streaming on Prime Video. Watch a trailer for it below, via YouTube:
