Note 11
Qui-Gon,
That thing was trained in the Jedi arts? Anakin says you think the attacker was. So the Jedi power can be used for evil? I have never heard of a Sith Lord before, but is that what you call beings that use the force for evil? Where did that Sith come from? I've never heard of one before. They may have existed before the formation of the Republic, but not during the Republic. I am well versed in Republic history. There was no mention of them in all my studies.
How do you think Anakin's mother is handling this? I've been writing to her, and it is clear that she loves her son very much. She wants us all to protect him. I assured her that I would do my best.
Anakin also told me that you were going to take him before the Jedi Council, which would hopefully begin his Jedi Training. You must tell me how the meeting goes with the Council. I want Anakin to be able to reach his dreams. He's such a nice little boy.
Two people have mentioned that the Senate is corrupt today…Senator Bail Antilles from Alderaan and Senator Palpatine. Senator Palpatine has been talking with Queen Amidala, and has told her as much. He argued with her, and said that he doesn't feel that the Senate will act on the invasion. He thinks Chancellor Valorum is corrupt, and that the bureaucrats will persuade him to do as they want. He thinks the best move we can make would be to push for the election of a new Chancellor…by calling for a vote of no confidence in Chancellor Valorum. I don't know about that. I don't want to kick Valorum out of office. He's been our strongest supporter. I don't see any other way to take this legally. We certainly cannot submit a plea to the courts, because they take longer to decide things than the Senate. Naboo's options are limited. I feel so helpless. The Queen must decide…the pressure must be so great on her.
Does Obi-Wan know how you feel about Anakin? Maybe you better have a talk with him. Does he think he's ready for the trials? Who gets to decide when a Jedi is ready for the trials anyway? It almost seems as if you're pushing away Obi-Wan just so you can train Anakin. Is that how you really feel? And do you think Obi-Wan will get jealous?
I wish you luck at your Jedi meeting. Anakin stopped by to see me before his meeting with the Jedi. I hope I was able to provide him with some confidence. Understandably he's nervous about going before the Council. He told me that this is his life long dream.
Will the Council really accept him?
And just how do you think you're going to secure Shmi's release? Certainly not by the Senate. Senator Palpatine fears that the Senate will not even act our planet's invasion. They would not allow you to free a slave, unfortunately.
Master Jedi, it IS possible to love almost completely, though it is not easy. You have to know the Source of Love…the Author of Love. Sadly, not many people experience this type of love, but it is possible. Understand that pure love makes no room for jealousy, lust, and the other stuff you Jedi talk about as being part of attachment. Don't you realize that in real love, there is no fear at all? Haven't you ever heard that there is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…
If this is true, which I believe it is, Master Jedi, then this whole attachment thing does not hold up to the standard of love. All I can say is that I am glad I am not a Jedi. I do not have to worry about this attachment rule. I agree that love should be handled responsibly and taken seriously.
Yes, human beings are flawed. I agree with that, and there is always the TEMPTATION to feel those bad things…lies and half truths, and other things that can help a person go astray, but that doesn't mean that a person has to give in all the time. It is possible (but cannot be done through human effort or strength) to love each other with a higher standard…with real love….but of course that love still wouldn't be PERFECT or COMPLETE. That doesn't mean a person can't strive to love purely, and really…jealousy and lust shouldn't be in that relationship. Of course sometimes bad stuff enters the relationship, but that doesn't mean that the situation can't be fixed. If both people are committed to act by the standard of true love, these occurrences would be very few.
We disagree on this. I am not a Jedi…
I hope the Council examines each case carefully before they decide whether a person can or cannot be in a relationship. I have always heard that Jedi were not allowed to love or become involved romantically. It's a rumor that is spread galaxy wide. Not many people have the chance to talk to a real Jedi about such beliefs.
Well, Master Jedi, I will let you handle this possible Sith situation. I don't know much about it. I hope that you are wrong about it being a Sith Lord, but I trust that you know what to do with it. You think it may be in connection with the Trade Federation? I hope not….but that may make sense. The Trade Federation leaders have always appeared to be fearful to me. When I spoke to them after you had arrived on the droid control ship, they reacted differently than usual. I hope that Sith did not learn of where we were going.
Thanks. I'm sure Anakin would appreciate the cheer and comfort you could provide for him. Anakin does seem to give wholeheartedly. He's such a sweet little boy.
Yes, I have sometimes felt something so strongly and completely, even though it seemed to defy all logic and reasoning….and yet that the action needed to be taken. I think that happens every time we put faith in something to happen that doesn't appear as if it will happen. I have felt that feeling on several occasions…I KNEW we had to get to Coruscant.
You would really leave the Jedi Order in order to train Anakin? It's THAT important to you that he be trained? Wow. I doubt Anakin knows how strongly you are pushing for his training.
Of course I cannot control my emotions all the time, at every moment. No one can. There is nothing wrong with feeling angry, master Jedi, or feeling emotions. There is nothing wrong with crying, in fact it helps me feel better and less stressed sometimes. I am not completely out of control, but I do not feel that is wrong to have emotions. I appreciate your advice, Master Jedi, and I will strive to work on being a better handmaiden. What are you talking about with what you said about "intuition and insight are invaluable tools. They can be harnessed and train, rather than simply remaining random. You have that ability. To not use it would be a waste, and a shame."
And, Master Jedi, I admire you for not doing things for the approval of others. I do not aim to win the approval of others most of the time either…but you must understand that I did not like a lot of your decisions, especially about those involving Anakin when we were on Tatooine.
Yes, I understand. Anakin will forget about this crush some day, though it was highly unnerving for me.
Like I said before, if attachment means fear of losing something, then it shouldn't even be equated as being part of love. And if it really is the refusal to accept that it might be lost and let go…as you say…then again, it has no place in love. And, Master Jedi, again I disagree with you. You said that none of that stuff has to do with trust. I would tell you that it has every bit to do with trust. If you trust someone….if you are faithful to the person that you love, and you two share this love, then there IS NO REASON TO FEAR losing that person to someone else. It involves a choice. Because I love this person, I'm not going to believe that this person is a threat to me. It's about believing and trusting that the other person will be faithful to you and love you with that same love. Therefore jealousy can not be present with two individuals who are faithful to one another.
And yes, the Dark Side does sound as if it is full of sin. And yes, I can understand that it is tempting, luring, seductive, just as sin is…
I do want to listen, Jedi, but listening does not mean that I will agree with what you say. I asked questions because I wanted to hear your answers, and you also need to understand where I come from, as a non-Jedi. The only way we can understand each other is if we clarify our own points for each other.
I understand the scenario you described about the cliff thing, but Master Jedi, you also have to understand that people can change their opinions and can sometimes decide, "okay, maybe I didn't trust before…maybe I didn't think very highly of this person then…but I'm going to have faith in this person anyway, and I'm going to trust this person this time…." And it may be the hardest thing for a person to do, but it can still be done.
Just because I haven't always trusted you, Jedi, doesn't mean that I won't sometime later.
Thank you, Qui-Gon.
I must go. The Queen is going to be talking to the Senate in a few minutes.
Padmé
