Gray Jedi

The Gray Jedi, in the vast lore of Star Wars, refer to those Force-sensitive individuals who walk the line between the light and dark sides of The Force without surrendering to the dark side. This description covers a wide spectrum of individuals, with some who followed the Jedi Code, but were not members of the Jedi Order, while others were former Jedi who distanced themselves from the Order but had not yet given themselves over to the dark side.

The term doesn’t explicitly refer to those who are able to balance the light and dark sides of the Force, although that has become a romanticized understanding of it. Rather, a Gray Jedi simply inhabits the gray areas, doing what they believe to be right and to be of benefit for the galaxy, irrespective of what the Jedi Council thinks.

The concept of Gray Jedi highlights the flawed dichotomy of the Force into mere light and dark. It emphasizes that the Force is more nuanced, suggesting that one can utilize aspects of the dark side without being consumed by evil. This rejection of the strict Jedi Code helps to create a more dynamic interpretation of Force-users, one not limited to the orthodox Jedi and Sith.

Notable Gray Jedi include stalwarts like Qui-Gon Jinn and Jolee Bindo. Qui-Gon Jinn is notable for his maverick views and confrontations against the Jedi Council, believing in following the Will Of The Force even when it contradicted the Council. Jolee Bindo, a beloved character from Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic, self-exiled from the Jedi Order following a catastrophe caused by his wife who fell to the dark side.

However, it's necessary to note that the concept of Gray Jedi isn’t universally accepted. It is often seen as non-canonical and arguably exploratory in nature, as it is absent from the majority of Star Wars literature. Although the exploration of Force users moving away from the binary division is present in the Expanded Universe (now called Legends), the specific concept of Gray Jedi is not prominently recognized.

Despite the outlier status of the idea of Gray Jedi, they persist due to their intriguing part in Star Wars mythos. They make room for characters who are more morally nuanced, open to the complexities and contradictions of the Force. It illustrates the Force not as a dichotomy of good and evil, but as a spectrum of powers and possibilities, challenging the assumptions of the Jedi and Sith alike.