Mentoring minds.

Mentoring ... What could it mean? The word, mentor comes from Greek Mythology. Mentor was Odysseus's trusted counselor, in whose guise Athena became the guardian and teacher of Telemachus. The dictionary gives us a definition of the word: To serve as a trusted counselor or teacher, especially in occupational settings. But is that all it is? Is it that limiting as to be a one-way transaction of service in counsel of teaching? I'm absolutely certain it is more far reaching in scope and in our field it is much more symbiotic in nature.

There is the key. Symbiotic: A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence. Now, we want to steer clear of the dependence thing right from the get go. You can neither teach nor counsel when one or the other of the relationship is dependant on the other party. Instead, as Hypnotherapists we approach mentoring as a relationship of mutual benefit.

Hypnotherapists are normally very willing to share knowledge and understanding with anyone who will ask. We are a giving group. Strike one up for us! Practitioners who are recognized experts in their particular specialty are also usually very keen on approaching others to inquire when they discover a new technique or intriguing concept in regard to hypnosis. Strike another one up for us! THIS is mentoring. A free sharing of experience and knowledge to benefit the others in the relationship, and by doing so, benefiting ourselves. The only reward being the satisfaction of knowing you have now helped expand another person's knowledge base and possibly given them an inspiration to innovate in other ways.

Now, when one is in the position of truly being a mentor, and consistently provides excellent counsel and learning, we truly serve others and ourselves by remaining humble in that position. We are in a profession in which we receive a great deal of praise from those with whom we work and quite often unwarranted adulation from clients who don't believe they actually did it themselves. That can be heady stuff. A good mentor gladly keeps his of her ego in check and the desire to learn and share in high gear. Hypnotherapists are family anchored in these areas as well. We indeed all have something to teach. We all have something to learn. Colleagues and clients alike, benefit in immeasurable ways by our desire to freely share knowledge and experience in this atmosphere of giving and receiving. This Symbiotic relationship of mentoring is a gift we not only give others but also give ourselves. Be thankful for the gifts you have been given and those you have nurtured. But especially be thankful for your ability to share, counsel, teach, advise and learn as a Mentoring Mind.

Let's all be true mentors every day, in every way. Athena, who pretended to be the trusted counselor and advisor for her own gain was no mentor. She lost before she started the game. Take pride in the fact that you willingly give and receive knowledge in any situation, even when you are supposed to be the trusted counselor or teacher. An important point I try to keep in mind is; A student who sees that his or her teacher needs and is willing to learn from the student is the student who has a far deeper understanding of knowledge and wisdom. That student understands he himself is a mentor.

Keep dreaming and achieving!

For further information on enrolling in the Mentoring Program please contact Jim Duncan at came 248-548-7390 or by e-mail at [e-mail]. Be sure to visit the Mentoring web site at www.geocities.com/hypnosismentor Download enrollment forms and subscribe to our Mentoring Program Discussion Group.

James Duncan. C.Ht.--IMDHA Mentor [e-mail]