A Mentor is a teacher in whom you can place your implicit trust. The word comes from the character in The Odyssey to whom Odysseus, on setting out for Troy, entrusted the care of his house and the education of his son, Telemachus. Today the role of Mentor is crucial in a surprising range of life situations, from many forms of art and artisanship to business and spiritual practice. Mentors do more than just teach; they pass on wisdom and refine their students’ character. In its shadow aspect, however, the Mentor can take on an overbearing attitude that is more about imposing control than imparting wisdom.
A characteristic of the shadow Mentor is an inability to allow the student to move on into the role of Master, maintaining control over the student’s development of mind, body, and skills. The distinction between this archetype and the Teacher is mainly one of degree. If you have shown a life-long pattern of taking individual “students” under your wing and guiding many aspects of their life, this may be an appropriate choice.
Film Reference: Alec Guinness in 'Star Wars'
A characteristic of the shadow Mentor is an inability to allow the student to move on into the role of Master, maintaining control over the student’s development of mind, body, and skills. The distinction between this archetype and the Teacher is mainly one of degree. If you have shown a life-long pattern of taking individual “students” under your wing and guiding many aspects of their life, this may be an appropriate choice.
Film Reference: Alec Guinness in 'Star Wars'