《戀焰焚身》觀後感

這是一部關於目前還正在活躍中的邪教——雙生火焰——的紀錄片。看過很多邪教紀錄片，但這種數位操控型的還是第一次知道（依據影片的註記，這種類型的邪教在疫情時大量萌生），而且比起宗教感，它的斂財感比較濃厚，只是它用現在熱門的「找到真愛」、「找到自己」、「我們都有靈魂伴侶」這種話術來包裝。

This documentary delves into the world of a currently active cult – the Twin Flame. While I’ve watched my fair share of cult documentaries, this one introduces a new dimension: digital manipulation. According to the film’s notes, this type of cult burgeoned during the pandemic, harnessing the power of digital platforms. Unlike traditional cults that physically confine followers, the Twin Flame operates predominantly through digital means, using popular rhetoric like “finding true love" and “finding oneself" to lure adherents.

非信徒的人會很難理解為什麼他們明明沒被關在一個地方（通常的邪教都會想把信徒關在一個地方控制）、也很少面對面的接觸，幾乎都是視訊、通話，為什麼能透過各種「暗示」把人洗腦到認為自己的性傾向、喜歡的人、能不能生小孩是由教主來定義，而那是無庸置疑的？甚至會洗腦信徒相信根本沒發生在自己身上的被原生家庭性侵的事情，來讓信徒切斷和原生家庭的聯繫。

For non-believers, it’s perplexing how individuals, despite not being physically confined or having much face-to-face interaction, succumb to various “suggestions" and allow the cult leader to dictate their sexual orientation, romantic preferences, and even reproductive decisions. They even manipulate followers into believing they were sexually abused by their own families, severing ties with their past.

看完之後覺得會成為雙生火焰信徒的人的性格都帶有「討好」的因子，即使事情怪怪的但為了不讓教主和其他信徒不開心，所以還是勉強自己去相信、講出自己根本不是打從心底接受的事情，「就只是為了討好大家」，害怕自己被團體排擠甚至驅逐。

After watching, it’s evident that potential Twin Flame followers tend to exhibit a penchant for people-pleasing. Even when things seem dubious, they force themselves to believe and express acceptance to avoid displeasing the leader and other members. Fear of rejection and expulsion from the group paralyzes them.

其實他們沒有被關起來，只要把網路線拔了，教主根本不能奈你何，但習得的無助感讓信徒們「恐懼」，恐懼自己在團體裡被舉發、被標籤、被叫去反省（他們稱之為「鏡像練習」），所以怕得喪失了自主思考的能力、也忘了自己完全有能力反抗的能力。

Ironically, despite their virtual tethering, the cult’s power is limited. Simply unplugging the internet renders the leader powerless. Yet, a learned sense of helplessness instills fear in followers, fearing exposure, labeling, and being subjected to “mirror exercises" (as they term self-reflection). Thus, they lose the capacity for independent thought and forget their ability to resist.

逃離出來的信徒是有契機意識到原來自己可以反抗，把教主和信徒封鎖、離開網路社群，這樣就離開了，明明這麼簡單的事情，他們不懂自己當時到底在害怕什麼。

Escapees from the cult often come to the realization that they had the power to resist all along. By blocking the cult leader and fellow adherents, and leaving online communities, they break free. It seems so straightforward, yet they fail to comprehend what they were truly afraid of at the time.

因為我的前任男友是個控制狂，也會透過各種貶低來讓我為了不讓他生氣而做出討好他的違心之舉，所以我其實可以想像信徒們被困在其中時的無助感。分手後我也覺得很神奇為什麼我要忍受一年多的貶低，在關係中變得貶低自己，覺得自己一無是處。當有個人每天在你耳邊罵你、羞辱你、貶低你、質疑你、批評你，你真的會慢慢萎靡凋零，會喪失思考的能力、每天只為了不要讓對方生氣而努力、會懷疑自己存在的本質。

Having had an ex-boyfriend who was controlling and used belittlement to coerce compliance, I can empathize with the sense of helplessness experienced by cult members. After the breakup, I couldn’t fathom why I endured over a year of degradation, allowing myself to be diminished in the relationship, feeling utterly worthless. When someone constantly berates, humiliates, belittles, questions, and criticizes you, you gradually wither away, losing the capacity for independent thought, striving daily only to avoid their anger, and doubting your very existence.

因為我這層經驗，所以我可以理解為什麼信徒們即使覺得事情越來越詭異還是持續下去，因為已經沒有能力想到有個選項是「我可以離開」。

Because of my own experiences, I understand why cult members, even as things grow increasingly bizarre, continue to stay. They no longer see leaving as an option.

個性柔軟、不喜歡質疑、沒有強烈的喜好、易於討好，如果你周遭有這類型的人或是你也是這類型的人，我的建議是多看多聽多學習，當知道更多時就不會只聽信一種聲音。而你可以全不聽，但一定要聽自己內心的聲音。

With soft personalities, an aversion to questioning, no strong preferences, and a tendency to please, if you encounter people like this or find yourself among them, my advice is to observe, listen, and learn. When you know more, you won’t blindly trust one voice. You may choose not to listen at all, but always listen to your inner voice.

即使沒有強烈的喜好，但其實我們都知道自己到底「要不要」。

Even without strong preferences, deep down, we all know what we truly want.

我當初毅然決然分手也是認知到，我真的不要這樣的生活了，意識很神奇，它可以瞬間改變一個人對於所有事情的處遇，當我意識到自己確實不要時，我的身體和大腦都動了起來，我要離開、我要離開、我要離開，當全身心都為了「離開」而運作時，你會知道「原來我有能力、原來我有力量、原來我不是你說的沒用的人」。

When I decisively ended my relationship, it was because I realized I didn’t want that life anymore. Consciousness works wonders; it can instantly change how you perceive everything. When I realized I truly didn’t want it, my body and mind sprang into action. “I want to leave, I want to leave, I want to leave." When your whole being is geared toward leaving, you realize, “I have the ability, I have the strength, I am not the worthless person you said I was."

心理素質強健的人不需要這種意識體驗就明確知道自己很棒了，但我相信還有不少像我一樣心理素質不強健的人，希望大家可以有意識地保護自己，盡量遠離那些會危害到自己身心靈的人事物。

People with strong mental fortitude may not need such epiphanies to recognize their worth, but there are many, like me, whose mental resilience is lacking. I hope everyone can consciously protect themselves, staying away from people and things that could harm their mind, body, and spirit.

最後，推薦大家讀《中國共產革命七十年》、《世界文明史 後篇：從工業革命到現代》，我讀完才恍然大悟，原來世間上很多事情的運作是有模板的，聞一知十啊。是影響我蠻多的書。

Lastly, I recommend reading “Seventy Years of Chinese Communist Revolution" and “World Civilizations: Their History and Culture." After reading them, I had a revelation – many things in the world operate on templates. Knowledge is power. These books have influenced me greatly.