In the heart of Tolkien’s epic tale lies a grim truth: the One Ring can corrupt any soul just as it did Gollum. It reveals the inner struggle that exists within us all.
Deagol and Smeagol were close friends. But the beauty of the Ring enchanted Smeagol and led him to kill his friend Deagol.
The Ring eroded him, filling his soul with malice and turning him into Gollum.
The truth is Smeagol is no different than you.
Just as his actions and passions were driven by a desire for beauty, so too are yours. Gollum exists in you, just as it always did in Smeagol.
The Ring’s beauty became Gollum’s obsession, his precious. He never let it out of sight, caressing it, holding it, and serenading it. Yet, the Ring's beauty made him kill, lie, destroy, and hide. It drove him deep into the mountains because then he could keep it for himself.
The Ring magnified all the malignant characteristics already in Smeagol, creating Gollum. It never created anything new within him. Smeagol’s own vices consumed everything that made him a good Hobbit. The Ring's beauty caused disharmony by binding Smeagol’s vices to itself, corrupting his desires and overpowering his good nature.
Now here’s the truth. The Ring represents your unbridled passions; Gollum, your lower man with no inhibition.
Just as Gollum’s life extended far beyond that of a normal hobbit by possessing the ring, if Gollum controls your life, all your time will be squandered on trivial pleasures and overconsumption. Time will crumble around you. You’ll live a meaningless life—no different than if you’re dead.
The Gollum within you will never rest unless destroyed. He’ll cause havoc by destroying your relationships, passions, talents, friendships, and your humanity. He’s driven by greed, fame, lust, wrath, and gluttony.
You must destroy the One Ring in the fire of Mount Doom! But to get there, you must take Gollum with you. For he too must be thrown in the fire.
As gold must be refined through fire, you too must stand on the edge of Cracks of Doom and cast both the Ring and Gollum in the fire.
This is the greatest test.
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