Editing Twin Flames Universe (section)

==Background==
The term "twin flames" was coined by English novelist [[Marie Corelli]] in her 1886 novel ''[[A Romance of Two Worlds]]''. Related terms, such as "twin rays", came into use in the early 20th century through [[Guy Ballard|Guy]] and [[Edna Anne Wheeler Ballard|Edna Ballard]], founders of [["I AM" Activity]].<ref name="Hines">{{cite news |last1=Hines |first1=Alice |date=December 3, 2020 |title=Inside the Twin Flames Universe and Its Always Online, All-Consuming World |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/12/inside-the-all-consuming-world-of-twin-flames-universe |access-date=November 12, 2023}}{{subscription required}}</ref> A follower of the Ballards, American spiritualist [[Elizabeth Clare Prophet]] first popularized the contemporary concept of twin flames in her 1999 book, titled ''Soul Mates and Twin Flames: The Spiritual Dimension of Love and Relationships''.<ref name="Romano" /><ref name="Hines" /> In it, Prophet mixes [[Hindu]], [[Buddhist]], and [[evangelical Christian]] beliefs to argue that twin flames are two people with a permanent divine connection required for both to reach enlightenment or salvation.<ref name="Romano" /> Prophet's daughter, a professor of religion at the [[University of Florida]], has argued that earlier variations of the concept appear in the works of [[Charles Fourier]] and [[Emanuel Swedenborg]].<ref name="Miller-12">{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Matthew |date=November 20, 2023 |title=Hit Netflix doc 'Escaping Twin Flames' is rooted in Michigan. What's it all about? |work=[[MLive Media Group|MLive]] |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/2023/11/hit-netflix-doc-escaping-twin-flames-is-rooted-in-michigan-whats-it-all-about.html |access-date=November 20, 2023}}</ref>

Since Prophet's popularization of the term, it has been used on some [[New Age spiritualism]] forums, where even more [[Western esotericism|esoteric]] versions of the concept have developed.<ref name="Romano" /> The term has been used to describe two people who are equals and whose purpose is to guide the other in their journey of self-discovery. Much like the idea of [[soulmate]]s, one has no control over who one's twin flame is, and usually, the twin flame reflects one's own personality. The infatuation with twin flames has led to some unhealthy and problematic behaviors.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=September 29, 2023 |title=Twin Flame: Definition and Signs You've Met Yours |url=https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/dating-twin-flame/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |website=Forbes Health}}</ref>