Tutaminis was the overarching term the Jedi Order employed to categorize Force capabilities that involved the act of absorbing energy. Classified as one of the Control abilities, tutaminis methods were taught to Jedi Initiates within the Jedi academy throughout the Order's existence. Even though all Jedi were instructed in it during the Galactic Republic era, the ability to diffuse concentrated energy, such as that found in a blasterbolt or lightsaber blade, was considered a rare achievement. Although the Jedi Order named and practiced it, tutaminis was not exclusive to Jedi. Indeed, the majority of Force-based groups and Force-users generally learned to utilize or, at the very least, manage some of the skills taught at the Temple.
The skills associated with tutaminis were all based on the idea that Force users could use the Force to draw potentially dangerous heat or electrical energy into their bodies and either dissipate it or redirect it entirely. The Council of First Knowledge considered the study of tutaminis as a starting point for further Force study, and thus designated it to be taught in the initial classes at Jedi academies. While mastering the fundamentals was expected upon graduating from the academy, these skills would continue to develop throughout a Jedi's life, as they were never done learning. Besides deflecting energy weapons, this ability could nullify the damaging effects of other energy-based Force powers, such as Force lightning. With added effort, after absorbing a blaster shot or Force power, the user could harness the absorbed energy to mend their injuries or manifest other Force powers. Tutaminis has also been described as a "non-harmful Force drain."
The power could also be employed to absorb or diffuse various forms of energy, including light, heat, microwave or electromagnetic radiation, types of hard radiation like alpha, beta, and gamma rays, and blaster discharges.
As the foundation for numerous abilities, tutaminis encompassed a range of skills that were formally or commonly named within the Jedi Order. Other abilities originated from this skill, but were more individualized and not taught throughout the entire academy, if at all. Many skills, from a simple body shield to the advanced technique of catching and/or dispelling a lightsaber blade with one's bare hand, were all viewed as applications of tutaminis.
Proficiency in self-protection included the capacity to envelop oneself in an energy field capable of draining heat and electrical energy from incoming attacks. This ability would render the user impervious to kinetic and a wide spectrum of energy-based attacks until the user ceased its use, or it dissipated due to fatigue. With this skill, deflecting blaster bolts with bare hands became possible, although achieving mastery was extremely challenging.
While practiced by all Jedi during the Old Republic era and, to some degree, by almost all Force-based cults, numerous individuals excelled in this particular skill and deserve recognition. Jedi Master Nejaa Halcyon, a member of the Jedi Order and like many of his relatives, honed this skill to compensate for his limited telekinetic abilities. A Force virtuoso, Halcyon demonstrated remarkable talent in employing tutaminis to absorb, redirect, and utilize heat and electrical energy discharges, frequently converting the absorbed energy to wield telekinetic powers that typically surpassed his natural capabilities. Darth Plagueis also demonstrated this power aboard the Woebegone. He absorbed blaster bolts from the crew with one hand and channeled the energy across his chest into Force lightning emitted from the other.
Nejaa Halcyon's proficiency in this power allowed him to catch lightsaber blades with his hand, an exceptionally rare feat also demonstrated by Satele Shan, who fought in the Battle of Alderaan during the Great Galactic War. Halcyon's descendant, Corran Horn, later displayed similar talents, utilizing the power to absorb heat energy from a volcanic spring on Yavin 4 to briefly amplify his telekinesis. Horn later employed this ability to mitigate the shock from a stun baton while aboard the Errant Venture. He further showcased his talent on Courkrus, where he absorbed heat energy from a series of explosions and redirected it to project a potent Force Illusion. Horn also demonstrated advanced applications of these talents during the Yuuzhan Vong War while on Bimmiel. Anakin Solo also displayed this variation of tutaminis when trapped on Yavin 4 later in the war.
Darth Krayt, Darth Wyyrlok, Karness Muur, Grand Master Yoda, Galen Marek, and Revan possessed the ability to catch Force lightning with their bare hands. The latter three were also capable of deflecting Force Lightning back at its source. Master Yoda used this ability to redirect a blast of Force lightning from Count Dooku back at him on Geonosis. Revan employed this ability to deflect a powerful barrage of lightning back at Darth Nyriss, incinerating her with her own power. Emperor Valkorion of Zakuul also proved to be a formidable practitioner, capable of blocking strong lightsaber blows with minimal difficulty. On Mortis, Son also demonstrated this ability, notably blocking Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber strikes with his arms effortlessly. Father also exhibited this ability, holding Anakin's lightsaber by the blade without sustaining damage to his hand, before forcing it back into its hilt. The final member of The Ones, Daughter, was able to deflect and absorb the Son's crimson Force lightning. The Daughter also caught one of the lightning blasts and hurled it back at the Son.
During the Clone Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi showcased this skill during his battle with Durge by deflecting the Bounty Hunter's flamethrower using only the Force, and shortly after, he blocked blaster bolts from a Droideka. Later, while pursuing General Grievous through Utapau, he absorbed the energy of the cyborg's electrostaff with his bare hands before seizing the weapon. Shaak Ti also utilized this ability during a duel with Grievous by deflecting his lightsaber after being disarmed. Galen Marek also demonstrated this ability in his desperate confrontation with Darth Sidious, although the extent of physical damage he endured, if any, remains unknown. Marek's clone also demonstrated this ability during his duel with Darth Vader, absorbing a naturally occurring lightning strike and redirecting it at the Sith Lord, ultimately defeating him.
Furthermore, Darth Vader had mastered the art of blocking blaster bolts with his hands, although his cybernetic limbs prevented him from generating Force lightning.
Luke Skywalker, when subjected to Force lightning by Darth Sidious aboard the second Death Star during the Battle of Endor, defended himself using this ability. While initially successful, Sidious' escalating energy intensity, coupled with Luke's limited training in resisting such an attack and his inability to summon his lightsaber, quickly overwhelmed Luke.
Lost Tribe of Sith members possessed the capacity to not only absorb energy from blaster bolts through their palms but also to deflect it back, similar to how they would with a lightsaber.
In computer games, the name of the Force power has slight variations—in Dark Forces: Jedi Knight and Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, it's referred to as Force absorb, whereas in Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, it's known as Force absorption.
Regarding game mechanics, the ability to absorb energy adds more points to the user's Force pool upon absorbing an attack. Force absorb is visualized in at least one game as a blue aura, though this likely serves as an interface mechanic to inform the player when the power is active.