The Troll and the Angel Within: Which One Do You Feed?

There are two beginnings living within each of us. One is bright, elevated, and inspiring — it can be called the Angel. The other is dark, dissatisfied, and critical — that’s the Troll.

If you look closely at the people around you, you can easily see it.

Someone is always grateful for life, smiles even in difficulties, and finds the strength to help others — that’s a person in whom the Angel is strong.

And someone is constantly dissatisfied, looks for dirt, sees deceit everywhere, and criticizes even goodness — in that person, the Troll manifests too strongly.

We even call such people “trolls” on the internet: their greatest joy is to sting, to devalue, to pour dirt on others. But in essence, it’s not just a habit — it’s the way dark forces act through a person.

Why is this important?

Because each of us, from time to time, faces the question: What kind of forces am I channeling right now — the light ones or the dark ones?

If we give thanks, offer support, and do good — even in small ways — we strengthen the Angel within us. If we judge, get irritated, or search for negativity — that’s already the Troll at work.

And here it’s important to understand: this is not something foreign or external. The Troll and the Angel are two roles that can manifest within each of us.

Where are most of the trolls?

It’s interesting that what is spiritual and filled with light is most often attacked by trolls. History shows this again and again:

Prophets and teachers were often called sectarians and persecuted.

Every new spiritual movement faced a wave of criticism and accusations.

Even a simple, sincere prayer sometimes provoked ridicule.

Why is that? Because the Troll within a person cannot bear the light. It feeds on dirt, gossip, and blame.

So when we see someone online spreading nastiness under kind news or spiritual projects, it’s important to understand: this isn’t truth — it’s simply the person’s inner Troll coming to the surface.

And who, then, is the real “sect”?

The word “sect” is often used to insult any spiritual community. But if we look deeper, the real sectarian traits aren’t found among those who chant mantras or gather to pray.

We find much more resemblance to a sect in the way governments, armies, the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, or large corporations are structured:

– there, there is a strict hierarchy where the “chief” or “leader” cannot be criticized;
– there, blind obedience is demanded;
– there, rules are imposed even against the will of the majority.

History shows that governments have often made decisions against their citizens’ will. For example, raising the retirement age — the majority were against it, yet the decision was still enforced. Isn’t that a sign of a giant sect?

While small spiritual groups — those who sing songs or pray in silence — are often persecuted, simply because they disturb the “big sect.”

What Is a Sect, Really? A Sociologist’s View

The classical definition of a sect in sociology includes several key features: a rigid hierarchy, an infallible leader, control over followers’ minds, isolation from society, financial exploitation, and suppression of criticism.

And now a tricky question: Which structure in human history has most often fit that description?

• Dogmatism and infallibility? Every totalitarian regime — from Nazi Germany to certain modern state systems — has elevated its leaders to the rank of deities and its ideology to an absolute truth that allows no criticism.
• Control and isolation? A vivid example is the Iron Curtain of the USSR, where the state strictly controlled all information and isolated its citizens from the “corrupting” influence of the West.
• Financial exploitation? A tax system that serves the interests of a narrow elite rather than the majority — isn’t that a form of extortion?

History is full of examples in which large state structures displayed all the features of a totalitarian sect: suppressing dissent and demanding blind worship.

A Krishna devotee singing mantras in the park harms no one. But a system that imposes its will by force on millions — that is the true source of destruction.

Practice: Banish the Troll, Awaken the Angel

To free yourself from the power of the inner Troll, try this simple practice. You can do it every day.

1. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths in and out.
2. Imagine your inner Troll standing before you — a caricature figure: frowning, grumbling, dissatisfied.
3. Say to it: “I see you. But I no longer give you power over me. Your time has passed.”
4. Now imagine inside yourself an Angel — a bright image who smiles, gives thanks, and radiates warmth.
5. Say to him: “I choose you. I choose gratitude, love, and light.”
6. Take one more deep breath in and out, and imagine that with the exhale all gloom and heaviness leave you, and with the inhale you are filled with light.

This simple practice helps us “change the channels” within ourselves.

Conclusion

We cannot completely get rid of the Troll — it exists in everyone. But we can decide whom to give more space in our lives.

If there is more of the Angel within us, we become a source of light, and no darkness can destroy us.

If there is more of the Troll, we ourselves become conduits of darkness — without even realizing it.

That’s why the main choice of every day is this: to be the Troll or to be the Angel.

The world today is full of criticism, accusations, and trolling. But that’s exactly why it’s so important for each of us to strengthen our bright side — to bring not judgment but support into this world, not hatred but love.

Then even the darkest forces will not be able to act through us.