Mentorship
Mentorship is a wonderful thing. When one has arisen to the title of Jedi Knight, the Council has entrusted them with the ability to negotiate across the Galaxy, advance one’s training to the deeper depths of the Force, and to be able to become a formal instructor of less experienced students of the Force. However, there is a difference between teaching and mentoring.
By taking an apprentice, one must commit one’s self to instruct on a personal level, rather than simply spouting theories or demonstrating practicalities in a class setting. By requesting an apprentice, one must be ready for various circumstances, which include dedication, frustration, bliss, success, and failure. It is of utmost importance to create the foundation of the relationship within the first few cycles of being together, in that it may be a relationship of strictness, a relationship of leniency, or a relationship of fraternity. By telling the apprentice what is expected of them, they have the path set before them to follow, and thus cannot claim ignorance for failure to meet said expectations.
It is important to take base knowledge from the apprentice’s training as an Initiate and build upon it. One of the best ways is to speak of the Jedi Code. Take the base theories of the Code by which we live by and apply it to everyday life. It is also paramount to teach the student what one has found best in their own days of apprenticeship. By doing so, each generation of Padawan becomes more ready and able to perform the duties of the Jedi Order, and consequently the Force.
Concerning the different paths the Padawan may choose to take, in that focusing on the mystery of the Force, the applications of the lightsaber, or the medley of the two, a mentor must respect the apprentice’s goals, yet also not let their instruction so malleable that it completely conforms to the apprentice’s wishes. In the hypothetical case of one wishing to pursue the Lightsaber Arts, one should focus directly on the field throughout the apprentice’s training, but also instruct the entire base of the Jedi teachings. For if one should do this incorrectly, it can create unprepared Jedi Knights, in that one may succeed in besting an opponent in physical combat, but fail in a diplomatic effort to save an entire city from destruction.
The master and apprentice will both face struggles and disagreements throughout the duration of training. The master should be ready for negatives, and be able to both forgive and apologize for failures. By doing so, the apprentice will indeed see the beauty in peace, serenity, and tranquility. In reading this, take into account my suggestions, but do not necessarily take it all into heart, for only one’s individual self can forge the path to success and enlightenment. However, there is one thing I do feel all should remember, and that is mentorship is one of the greatest privileges one can experience, and should be sought to continue on for the ages to come.