Why Can’t Jedi Form Attachments?

From the moment we are in our mother’s womb we start forming attachments. 

These bonds only get stronger as we grow older and learn more about ourselves and what we do and do not like. 

We form attachments to our friends, families, romantic partners, coworkers, teachers, sometimes even our bosses. 

These attachments allow us to grow healthy socialization skills and learn to accurately navigate through this crazy thing we call life. 

The world of Star Wars is not that dissimilar from our own. Given that fact, many beings form attachments and develop at the same rate as we do. That is, of course, aside from the Jedi. 

The Jedi are not allowed to form attachments, unlike every other normal person. Doing so is seen as being an infringement on the ever-precious Jedi Code. 

This code is sort of like their bible, or holy grail if you will. With all this in mind, what exactly does the Jedi Code say about attachments? 

Don’t worry; this topic will be covered throughout this article. So without further ado, here’s what you need to know about the Jedi Code and attachments. 

About the Jedi Code

The Jedi Code was a list of rules that members of the Jedi Order used to govern their everyday lives. 

This code taught its followers to not give in to, nor harbor any negative feelings toward any other living thing. The Jedi are supposed to have a clear head and remain at peace. 

They are supposed to release themselves of all materialist things and do everything possible to remain on the light side of the Force. 

As the galaxy’s peacekeepers, the Jedi aren’t supposed to feel any emotions. 

This is because emotions, as innocently as they may seem, often lead to a more negative feeling down the line. 

In actuality, once given some thought, there is a method to the madness behind this one. The Jedi Code preaches that many emotions that seem inherently good can often end up horribly. 

Take, for instance, love. Sweet, sweet, gut-wrenchingly painful love. 

Love is one of the major emotions that the Jedi code strongly advises against. As anyone who has been in love can tell you, it usually begins like a fairytale. Filled with happiness, comfort, the feeling that nothing could go wrong. 

Yet, this honeymoon phase doesn’t last and the jealousy, distrust, anger, and soul-crushing hurt step in. 

The latter are all emotions that the Jedi are to steer clear of as they can put a Jedi on the fast track to the dark side.

The Jedi Code teaches that attachments aren’t supposed to be formed, in terms of attachments. This is because the Jedi Code teaches that attachments can ultimately be dangerous. 

Let me explain.

Why Can’t Jedi Form Attachments?

The Jedi Code heavily lectures against the formation of attachments between the Jedi and anyone else. 

On account of the attachments, though well-intentioned at first, often end with negative emotions. 

Even though it isn’t explicitly stated in the Jedi Code that no attachments should be formed, it is insinuated. Even by the code’s mantra, which states: 

There is no emotion; there is peace.

There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.

There is no passion; there is serenity.

There is no chaos; there is harmony.

There is no death; there is the Force. 

The part speaking about there being no emotion in particular sticks out. This is mainly due to it being virtually impossible to form an attachment without emotions. 

So why exactly are they forbidden even though the Jedi Code does not speak against it? 

Why Are Attachments  Forbidden?

As stated above, there must be emotions in order to form an attachment. However, emotions are a tricky thing to navigate. 

They can start off beautifully, all being completely positive, yet over time they can become so intense that they ultimately become negative. 

Love can turn into jealousy and obsession, turning into hatred and anger. 

The uncertainty of whether or not the emotions would stay positive or change into their toxic counterpart is, in and of itself, the whole problem.

Once emotions get involved, they have the potential to murky up the otherwise clear mindset of the Jedi. This is horrible because Jedi are supposed to keep an uncomplicated mind and peaceful aura.

 If the Jedi cannot keep their minds clear and remain at peace, then it’s only a matter of time before they fall prey to the slippery slope of a poisonous mindset. 

In most cases, the mindset that would lead them down the path to the dark side of the Force.

Conclusion

Given that emotions are one of, if not the most, complicated thing in the human experience. 

They can lead to extraordinarily passionate attachments that are filled with negative emotions that usually end badly for the pursuer and subject of the affection. 

Therefore it makes a lot of sense why the Jedi Masters would enforce a code that prohibits actions such as this. They had the right idea. 

Having said that, there are some grey areas in this plan that make it hard to completely get behind.

For instance, this no attachment rule takes away from the Jedi’s familial experiences. Moreover, they are stunted in the area of romantic relationships. 

The Jedi are not allowed to have romantic relationships because they are not allowed to have any attachments. Especially since they are arguably the same.

The Jedi are still mostly human so they would naturally have urges just like the rest of us. So do you know what they do instead? They are generally allowed to have random hookups. 

The Jedi can do whatever they want so long as they, under no circumstances, get attached to the person they’re being intimate with. 

What’s more, if the Jedi have children, they are expected to not have an attachment to them either. This isn’t to say that they don’t protect, care for, or provide for their child. That is their job. 

However, they most certainly cannot form any strong bonds.