"You have compassion for her", Supreme Leader Snoke to Kylo Ren.
"You have compassion for him", Master Skywalker to Rey of Jakku.
Attachment is forbidden. Possession is forbidden. Compassion - which I would define as…unconditional love - is essential to a Jedi's life. So, you might say that we are encouraged to love.
Young Jedi Anakin Skywalker
"Master Yoda", Rey exclaims. The impression is so strong that she falls to her knees, as if in a deepest ceremonial bow.
The little creature snickers and caresses her on the head with a gentle and real touch. A grandpa stroking the cheek of his granddaughter – it probably feels very similar.
"Loyal and compassionate Rey is", the Master says, leaning on his curved staff. "But also impetuous and naïve she is. For the Dark Side to be subdued, one must the refined vision of a Jedi have".
She is worried. She knows he is right – Rey learned the Jedi creed only few days ago. What could possibly she know now?
"Young Rey", Yoda continues peacefully and even slightly whimsically. "As the end of the Jedi approaches, the Light grows stronger. But also, the Darkness too – but worry not. There is nothing in any Jedi temple buried, that you already don't have with you".
"The books", she utters. "I left them with the Resistance, for safe-keeping. I'm sorry for stealing them. I'm sorry I didn't trust Master Skywalker. I'm so sorry".
"Don't be".
Master Skywalker. He appears to her as she remembers him – but the world-weariness is gone and there is a new sort of light within him. It pours so much hope into her in this strangest and coldest of places.
"Regret is a good thing, Rey, as long as it leads to correcting past mistakes", he says – or his spirit. "But if you let it fester, it will drown you. And that is the direct way to the darkness".
Ben.
"Why have you let him go in"? She exclaims. "He is conflicted, he is weak. And that place…"
She shudders and turns to the cave. She'd pull him out of there, but the place feels so off-putting and so menacing, that she recoils instinctively.
"You have compassion for him", Luke's spirit says matter-of-factly, but at the same time, with consideration and gentleness. "It is a rare gift, even for a Jedi".
"Young Solo and Rey must learn", Yoda said. "There is no submission in the Force. There is no force in the Force".
The little creature snickers at its pun.
"Rey", Luke said. "That's why I've let you leave Ahch-to. If you or him or any other creature sets his or hers or its mind on something, Force will not allow it or disallow it. You must learn – and him especially – that whatever you choose, it is yours choice and yours alone".
Ben is not free.
Her Master's spirit looks at her with sadness.
"Yes, he always had the impression that he was forced into a role he never wanted", he sighs and sits on a nearby stone – slowly, like an old man. "He never could shake that feeling off, no matter how much me, or him, or his parents have tried. And we all transgressed against him, one way or another".
"You meant to do the right thing", Rey exclaims ardently. "You were always acting in his best interest. You're not perfect, but you did the best you could".
The spirit smirks at her, wearily.
"Even if I did – which I didn't – that will simply not do. The Dark Side is too strong. You felt it".
Rey sits back on her heels now, perplexed to her core.
"What can we do?"
"Now"? Luke's spirit asks. "Nothing. Wait".
Rey shivers in that dark and cold place. She could use her cape right now, but she left it in the small cabin in the woods.
Yoda snickers again, and with a flick of a finger, instigates a small but so welcoming camp fire.
And everything already feels millions light years more comforting.
Even the Dark Side seems subdued and the saber at her side feels still and compliant.
To be subdued – not destroyed.