The Jedi and Sith dominate the Star Wars universe and they’re synonymous with either the light, or dark side of the Force. But the Grays did not tap in exclusively to the light or dark. Since we know light-sided Jedi can become Force ghosts, does the same hold true for Gray Jedi?
The Gray Jedi were a group of Jedi who did not affiliate themselves exclusively with light or dark side teachings, although they may have leaned one way or the other.
Their expanded arsenal of Force abilities may give Gray Jedi more strength, allowing them to become Force ghosts.
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Who are the Gray Jedi?
The Gray Jedi comprised an unorthodox Jedi in Star Wars Legends capable of controlling light and dark sides of the Force. If they identified as a Gray Jedi, they operated outside the Jedi Code and the Jedi High Council, since the Order embraced the light side.
The same could go for a dark-sided Sith, so the most accurate perception of a true Gray meant they did not belong to the Jedi or Sith Order, even if they identified as a Jedi or Sith.
If a Jedi or Sith belonged to their respectable Orders, they were not always considered to be Gray. In this case, they could use the light and dark sides, but they didn’t operate outside of their Order’s respective Code.
However, this did not stop some from inside the Jedi Order to refer to Qui-Gon Jinn as a Gray Jedi, since he possessed an unorthodox style that did not always conform to the Jedi Code.
While the idea of Gray Jedi remained in Legends, Jinn’s lack of conformity seeped into the Canon during The Phantom Menace, when he insisted on training Anakin Skywalker, even if the Jedi High Council forbade him.
Others, like the Gray Paladins, self-described as Gray Jedi, but otherwise held true to the Jedi Code, much like Jinn.
Notable Gray Jedi
1. Jolee Bindo
Bindo became a Gray after he married Nayama, a female mercenary. Their marriage took a hit when Nayama fell to the dark side and attacked Bindo after refusing to join Exar Kun’s Brotherhood of the Sith.
Despite their subsequent duel and Bindo defeating Nayama, it didn’t stop the Jedi Council from putting him on trial following the Great Sith War. Although found innocent and offered a promotion to be Jedi Knight, Bindo instead left the Order.
Bindo later went into self-imposed exile before teaming up with Revan in a campaign against Darth Malak. Bindo helped Revan, and the Jedi win the campaign, and he received the Cross of Glory for his efforts.
2. Imperial Knights
While the Imperial Knights rejected the dark side, they knew how to use it. However, they did not tap into the Force the same way as a Jedi, who used meditation. The Imperial Knights held pragmatic views regarding the Force, and indirectly followed the light side.
Since the Jedi Order conformed to the light side regardless of their true personalities or desires, the Imperial Knights’ distant views prompted the Jedi Order to refer to them as Grays.
Can Gray Jedi Become Force Ghosts?
Star Wars Canon states only Force-sensitives at peace and willing to “become one with the Force” can become Force ghosts, like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. The ultimate goal of the Jedi was to achieve ultimate serenity, and this allowed them to become Force ghosts.
The Sith did not enjoy the same capability, given their dark side nature.
Yoda stated, “Eternal life, the ultimate goal of the Sith, yet they can never achieve it. It comes only through the release of self, not the exaltation of self. It comes through compassion, not greed. Love is the answer to the darkness.”
Those who become Force ghosts must also accept death. Obi-Wan served as a phenomenal example in A New Hope, when he chose to no longer engage in a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader. Instead, he closed his eyes while Vader struck him down.
While the Sith acknowledged both the light and dark sides, they only cared about deriving worldly power from it, and scoffed at what it could spiritually give them. Given the Sith Order’s lack of spiritual understanding, they could not return as Force ghosts.
Onto the Grays, most of whom were light side users. They just did not associate with the Jedi Order given either their dissidence toward their teachings or their understanding and exploration of the dark side.
They toed the line between light and dark when necessary. But they did not immerse themselves into the dark side to the same degree as the Sith.
Others did not consider themselves light or dark side practitioners. They only believed in the Force. These Grays saw the light and dark sides as entwined, believing them to complement one another.
The Verdict
Since we already know many considered Qui-Gon Jinn to be a Gray Jedi and that he was capable of becoming a Force ghost, it shows that in at least Jinn’s case, Grays can become one.
However, any Gray, and in rare cases a Sith, could become a Force ghost if they deepened their connection to the light side’s spiritual concepts, like love and compassion.
In other words, if they accepted death and practiced selflessness, tapping into the dark side when necessary, such as Luke Skywalker in Return of the Jedi, a Gray Jedi or not, can return as a Force Ghost.
Are Gray Jedi the Strongest?
Those who spent more time tapping into the Force were the strongest Jedi/Sith/Gray. Darth Sidious’ lightsaber duel with Yoda in Revenge of the Sith proved that, since each spent decades to centuries deepening their Force connection.
However, even the strongest light and dark-sided Force users had limitations because they rejected the other side. Grays had access and understanding of both the light and dark side, even if they predominantly focused on the light side, giving them a wider array of options.
If a Gray spent as much time deepening their Force connection as Darth Sidious and Yoda, then yes, they were the strongest. But, they could learn from both ends of the spectrum, which would demand more time to hone in on their Force-wielding.