A Force phenomenon existed that suppressed Force-sensitive individuals' connection to the Force. Whether by choice or circumstance, the severing of the Force from an individual prevented them from using Force powers to varying degrees and even render an individual imperceptible in the Force by Force users.
Several members of the Jedi Order distanced themselves from the Force following traumatic experiences, such as Cere Junda, Ahsoka Tano, Kanan Jarrus, and Luke Skywalker. The inhibition facilitated periods of self-imposed exile and contemplation. Regardless of the cause, the severance was not necessarily permanent, and many Jedi often reversed the effects on themselves.
The Force was a field of energy created by the energy of all life—the Living Force—in symbiosis with the Cosmic Force, which had a will that communicated to all individuals via the midi-chlorians, which were in symbiosis with their host to allow them to perceive and channel Force energy through training. Particularly Force-sensitive individuals could tap into the Force and use it in either a harmonious or corruptive manner, with the Jedi Order instilling discipline into its pupils to adhere to the principles of the light side and listen to the will of the Force. However, traumatic experiences could inhibit a Jedi's connection to the Force. Distancing one's connection with the Force could also be done by choice, and could even render an individual imperceptible in the Force by Force users. An affected person nevertheless could have their connection with the Force restored.
According to the quasi-historical Qel-Droma Epics, a millennium after the Great Hyperspace War, Ulic Qel-Droma turned away from the dark side following his attempt to infiltrate the Krath from within and was redeemed by being cut off from the Force. During the High Republic Era, Jedi Master Elzar Mann suppressed his connection to the Force for a time after using the dark side of the Force during the Nihil attack on Valo. Following another Nihil attack on Valo in which the Nameless murdered one of his Jedi Masters, the Jedi youngling Gavi lost his ability to use the Force.
Some centuries later, the Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker cut himself off from the Force during a period of intense loneliness and anger; finding the experience to only amplify his feelings, however, he chose to embrace his connection to the Force. Later, in the early days of the Clone Wars, Jedi Initiate Mill Alibeth desired to cut herself off from the Force. The young Zabrak possessed a unique empathic ability that allowed her to acutely sense the suffering of others, a talent so exacerbated by the new war that it caused her physical sickness. Skywalker counseled Alibeth on her feelings, using his experiences to teach her of the value found in the Force.
The former Jedi Caleb Dume severed his connection to the Force in the aftermath of the Great Jedi Purge in order to remain hidden from the newly established Galactic Empire and start his new life as Kanan Jarrus. Likewise, former Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano distanced herself from the Force, trying to prevent herself from accessing her Force abilities in order to hide and also to avoid the pain of her past life as a Jedi. After she was captured by the Inquisitorius, Jedi Knight Cere Junda escaped the Fortress Inquisitorius by using the dark side of the Force. After that, she suppressed her connection to the Force for fear of falling to the dark side. After Jarrus embraced his role as a Jedi Knight in service of the Spectres, he was blinded by the former Sith Lord Maul on Malachor. In the aftermath of the injury, Jarrus claimed he had distanced himself from the Force.
Jedi Master Luke Skywalker used this ability during his exile on Ahch-To. According to the Jedi Master, it was far more difficult to block out the Force than learning to feel it, and it took Skywalker years to master the discipline. However, the Force still tried to reach Skywalker through dreams and even sometimes reached him when he was awake, despite his efforts, offering messages or warnings. Later, his apprentice Rey would travel to Ahch-To with the intent of replicating her master's deeds in exile, but was convinced to rejoin the fight against the First Order by Skywalker, who had since died and become a Force spirit.
- Nexus of Power
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi: The Visual Dictionary
- Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition
- Star Wars: The Secrets of the Jedi