Janja Lalich, a cult expert and professor emeritus at California State University, Chico, told VICE that Twin Flames Universe fits into a constellation of self-help and wellness cults that sell sweeping answers to lifeвЂ™s biggest problems, and disguise thought reform and manipulation practices as therapy. In Facebook posts the couple leading Twin Flames Universe openly call themselves вЂњthe Master Christ,вЂќ and their associates are now attempting to start a tax-exempt church based on their teachings, according to Jeff. Now Burchell is joining a growing group of ex-members speaking out against the couple who they say built a cult empire by exploiting their students. A week before her trip, she decided to leave Twin Flames Universe, disconnect from everyone on social media, and never look back-a decision sparked by a blowout fight with her family. Burchell counts herself lucky that she was never arrested or subject to a restraining order-unlike other members of the group.Д«urchell did not end up getting on a plane to Toronto. After repeated spiritual exercises that seemed to encourage fixation, she said she showed up at his work uninvited to prove her вЂњalignmentвЂќ with love and God. Burchell grew obsessed with attracting her suggested вЂњtwin flameвЂќ-a married man Burchell met at her gym. She spent as much as 30 hours a week, outside of her full-time government job and single-parenting duties, keeping up with coursework, building lists of potential new students, and making sales calls-all time she volunteered for no compensation. вЂњThis person was designed for you by God, and you were designed for this person by God, to be your eternal companionвЂ¦ for all of eternity.вЂќД«urchell says she quickly became one of the most committed Twin Flames students in the community, posting in the Facebook group regularly, watching new videos, and calling in to weekly group sessions on Google Hangouts. вЂњA twin flame is your best friend in the entire universe,вЂќ Jeff told YouTube viewers in 2017. The school claims to help students find their вЂњtwin flame,вЂќ a more intense version of a soul mate. Twin Flames Universe, also called Twin Flame Ascension School and, trades in a specific kind of true love that requires a belief in souls and reincarnation.

Their videos and accompanying social media forums cater to viewers who feel lost and alone, and who want to find acceptance and true love. The couple, who claim to share a special spiritual connection with God and each other, charge upwards of $4,000 for access to more exclusive videos, workshops, and one-on-one вЂњmind alignmentвЂќ therapies.

Jeff and Shaleia, who previously went by the names Ender Ayanethos and Megan Plante, have released hundreds of online videos over the last five years about relationships, finding purpose, and fringe New Age concepts.

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