Talk:Aang/@comment-3486433-20110317201858/@comment-3068994-20110317220707

Guru Pathik failed. His explanation was very poor - and you should see why since you misunderstood his goal just the same as Aang did.

Guru Pathik was telling Aang to "Let your emotions go" -- Fear, Hate, Regret, Love, etc -- and when this reached to letting go of Katara he was like "NO WAY!" Can't let her go forever. Won't do that. But, Pathik failed to make clear that he would never have gave her up forever. It was just setting aside one's emotions and desires to do what needs be done - to clear his mind to control the Avatar State's cosmic energy un-hindered by other emotional trials. This would allow him mastery.

Aang left after that warning; but did you notice he entered the Avatar State after choosing to "let go of Katara" in Crossroads of Destiny? He was just shot down before he could complete allowing himself to free his mind of her.

Anyway as I was saying; he would NOT have given up Katara for life if he had succeeded. Just temporarily. It makes no sense whatsoever that he would - otherwise, that would mean giving up the rest of his earthly emotions - Fear, Pleasure, Sorrow, etc - all of which he also experienced. It's just impossible.

When healing him in The Awakening, Katara told Aang she felt a lot of energy 'bottled up' in that one spot (where Azula had struck him) - hence, it was where everything was locked up, the connection for his chi / Avatar strength was jammed there. In the finale, and I have to say - Bryke, Horrible choice here - when his back was struck by that rock it was just enough to break free that chi. Again - Bryke. HORRIBLE choice. That was lame.

Anyway; Aang instantly shot into his defensive Avatar state mode - he had no control over it. It claimed his body and began attacking Ozai with full force. There at the end, when it nearly took Ozai's life, through his sheer willpower to not go against his morals Aang forced the Avatar state to end. It was during this time, his mind was freed to what had to be done. He was not focusing on Katara, he was not afraid, he was not etc etc - with a clear mind, he brought Ozai down and made use of the Avatar State to put out the forest fires. This was the first time he used it without being lost to it - his first masterful control of it.

Ask away any other questions 'cause I'm unsure that came out clear.