Mental Discipline in the WW

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 130293

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Tonks" <tonks_op at y...> wrote:
> We have debated all sides of the Occlumency situation.  Whoever we 
> blame for the failure of Harry to learn Occlumency, I think that we
> can all agree that Occlumency is important skill to have when 
> battling the Dark Lord.  I think that that is the main thing that
> JKR wants us to remember.  Closing your mind, controlling your
> emotions to battle the forces of darkness within yourself and 
within
> the world is an important skill to have.  

Jen: I'm not certain what JKR intends with Occlumency. After all, 
Dumbledore tells Harry in OOTP: "In the end it mattered not that you 
could not close your mind. It was your heart that saved you." (chap. 
37, p. 844)

It's an ambiguous statement--does Harry need to continue Occlumency 
if indeed his heart will save him over and over from Voldemort? His 
heart led him through the trapdoor, down to the COS to save Ginny, 
and certainly saved him in the graveyard since only the 'pure of 
heart' feel inspired when hearing the Phoenix song.

Rowling is telling us emotional control is essential to fighting the 
Dark Lord, but I'm not sure about her message re: Occlumency yet.