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Being a Force Ghost...
In light of the new info from Revenge of the Sith how in the name of little green fishies did Anakin learn that trick?
Given Yoda's little speech to Anakin (and appallingly bad advice), it seems that Old Republic Jedi were expected to truly become one with the Force, to the point of losing their individual identities just a raindrop becomes part of the ocean when it finally falls. Actually, it sounds like Lucas poached a short explanation of what Nirvana is, and then garbled it.
The ability to remain conscious, instead of blending into the totality of the Force, is a *new* trick for the Jedi. It's attained through *compassion*, and by the one Jedi in the prequels who is identified as a maverick -- Qui-Gon Jinn.
However, given that Yoda and Obi-Wan have spent the two decades between series 'communing' with Qui-Gon the Force Ghost, which explains their bodily transformations into the Force, how the heck did Anakin Skywalker the Lord Vader learn how to be a Force Ghost?
Are we supposed to believe that the fact he died as a consequence of saving his son was enough to catapult him into this next state? If that was so, why didn't other Jedi learn how to do it before him -- I'm sure that there was a lot of self-sacrifice during the Temple Massacre, with Knights and Masters trying to protect their apprentices and the younger children.
Or are we supposed to imagine that Obi-Wan went about whispering in Vader's ear once the old Jedi died? Or that Qui-Gon did, being too stubborn to give up on the Chosen One even though he went evil?
Given Yoda's little speech to Anakin (and appallingly bad advice), it seems that Old Republic Jedi were expected to truly become one with the Force, to the point of losing their individual identities just a raindrop becomes part of the ocean when it finally falls. Actually, it sounds like Lucas poached a short explanation of what Nirvana is, and then garbled it.
The ability to remain conscious, instead of blending into the totality of the Force, is a *new* trick for the Jedi. It's attained through *compassion*, and by the one Jedi in the prequels who is identified as a maverick -- Qui-Gon Jinn.
However, given that Yoda and Obi-Wan have spent the two decades between series 'communing' with Qui-Gon the Force Ghost, which explains their bodily transformations into the Force, how the heck did Anakin Skywalker the Lord Vader learn how to be a Force Ghost?
Are we supposed to believe that the fact he died as a consequence of saving his son was enough to catapult him into this next state? If that was so, why didn't other Jedi learn how to do it before him -- I'm sure that there was a lot of self-sacrifice during the Temple Massacre, with Knights and Masters trying to protect their apprentices and the younger children.
Or are we supposed to imagine that Obi-Wan went about whispering in Vader's ear once the old Jedi died? Or that Qui-Gon did, being too stubborn to give up on the Chosen One even though he went evil?
no subject
*puts on Hat of Mythological Symbolism in Star Wars*
Actually, Anakin had plenty of compassion. To start with, virgin births in Eastern/Buddhist mythology were symbolic of the birth of a being of pure compassion, as virgin birth = birth from the heart chakra = compassion. Second, practically all of Anakin's character in TPM is compassion. A lot of this disappears between TPM and AotC, but there are flashes of it here and there, as in the scene where he wants to go back and help the clone troopers during the Battle of Coruscant. Thirdly, and I've advocated this theory before, children in the SW saga stand for compassion. So the true death of Anakin and birth of Vader is in the moment he slaughters the younglings.
Going off to the OT, you can argue that Vader has very little compassion, up to the end of the final duel. However, this is the point where I invoke the legend of the Grail King, who was young and beautiful and unworthy of the Grail, and set out from his castle with a cry of "Amor!*", only to be injured by a passing Sarascen. He suffers for years before Perceival heals him, a healing which is accomplished by Perceival showing compassion for the King. As should be obvious, Anakin is the Grail King, and Luke is Perceival. Once the King is healed, he learns the lesson of compassion, and is worthy of the Grail. Grail = Force Ghostie, anyone?
*Oh, look, it's selfish love. Not Eros, or Agape, but Amor. Remind you of anyone?