Any World (That I'm Welcome To)

When Qui-Gon knelt behind the laser gates, just what was he meditating about?

This was inspired by DarklordZor's blog.

I always loved the moment in The Phantom Menace when, trapped by the laser gates, Qui-Gon kneels and starts meditating while Darth Maul paces before him. It is, as DarklordZor says, a smart way to conserve energy. It is also the ultimate in self-mastery. Can you imagine being in the fight of your life and still being able to have that inner calmness that would allow you to actually meditate when a Sith lord could be springing on you at any moment? I know I'd be way too nervous to manage it. (Which is probably why I would never make it as a Jedi.) Even many other Jedi would not be able to manage that. Qui-Gon is just so cool.

But then I started thinking: is Qui-Gon just meditating on the present moment, or is he up to something with more far-reaching consequences?

Qui-Gon might have feeling his age at that point, even if he didn't let on. I think the novelization said so. But even if he felt perfectly spry, he was up against one of the best swordsmen ever. It was by no means certain that he would be able to defeat Darth Maul, even with Obi-Wan's help--and Obi-Wan was too far away to help him.

I think at that moment, Qui-Gon was preparing for death.

Just in case he did not survive the fight, he wanted to make sure he would still be around in some form to watch over Obi-Wan and Anakin, the Chosen One. While he was kneeling behind the laser gates, he was preparing himself to become one with the Force while retaining his consciousness. We don't yet know when Qui-Gon discovered the secrets of the Shaman of the Whills. Perhaps only at that moment as he knelt and let the Force guide him.

I think it fits very well. I suppose we'll find out sooner or later.