Mentorship

The highest function of the teacher consists not so much in imparting knowledge as in stimulating the pupil in the love and pursuit of knowledge. To know how to suggest is the art of teaching.

Henri Frederic Amiel, philosopher and writer (1821-1881)

What qualifies being a mentor? If the term does take up its original root, it should mean “one who causes another to think.” I would add to this, “…for his/her own good.”

The mentor is that one who challenges the thinking of the youth. IN this regard, mentorship is the proper role of education. If educating is to lead another out–out of her preconceptions, out of her self delusions, out of her habitual behavior–then the one who causes another to think for his/her own good must be the true educator, the true pedagog.

Mentorship implies

that kind of desire that seeks the full realization of the other
that kind of friendship that seeks mutual liberty
that kind of charity that imparts knowledge gracefully

The master is a hunter who seeks after the highest presence within the disciple. The mentor is a trainer who exercises the mentee and at the same time exercises his/her own soul. The pedagog is a counselor who graciously helps the student discover the power of knowledge. The virtue of the mentor then is not theoretical wisdom nor even practical wisdom. The virtue of the mentor is magnanimity, generosity from one mind to another.