Force spirit

"You will learn to preserve your Life Force, and so, manifest a consciousness which will allow you to commune with the living after death."

- The spirit of Qui-Gon Jinn, communing with Yoda

Through special training, certain beings were able to appear as Force spirits through the Force. The knowledge was open only to those who followed the light side, so the only known individuals with the ability to manifest after death were Jedi. It was made possible by energy from the Living Force flowing into the Cosmic Force. The Force Priestesses, who dwelled on the planet, said to be the origin of the midi-chlorians, taught the skill to Qui-Gon Jinn, the first known Jedi to learn the secret. His training was incomplete upon his death, however, so he could only manifest as a disembodied voice. Individuals such as Yoda were able to physically interact with the world and people around them and use the Force when appearing as spirits. The secret was later passed on to Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and Anakin Skywalker. The Sith were unable to manifest themselves after death, causing them to concentrate on gaining earthly power only. One Sith, the Presence, was able to preserve part of her conscious essence so long as it was bound to an object like a Sith holocron.

Non-canon appearances

 * Star Wars
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens
 * LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens