[ad_1]
Last week I spent six days making it Reading and writing a women’s seminar on “Knowledge and (Dis) Living” that I have been teaching every summer for four years now. Most of the time, we meet for a week at St John’s Abbey, a Benedictine royal residence on the coast of central Minnesota; this year, it all happened almost. Students also in-depth read and analyze the writings of writers of different cultures, and research their own history, family and personal history, and create short notes.
Each year, it becomes a tiring week of mind and body. As we closed Saturday, someone said the part that made the seminary so effective was the unexpected in teaching: how, in my words and actions, I showed them how to bring their presence to work, to each other and to self-criticism. I had no idea I was going to do this, but it left me thinking for the next few days about what makes a good teacher.
In the famous poem of Homer Odyssey, Mentor was an old man whom Odysseus asked to take care of their son Telemachus when he went to war. But in this case, it is the work of the Greek goddess Athena who gives meaning to our interpretations of the word “guide” today. He disguises himself as an old man and goes to Telemachus to advise him on what to do for his family.
Nowadays, technology takes many forms – from companies set up in the US in the 1970s to global training and training centers. But regardless of the way a person teaches, it seems to be a very important and old relationship, described in books, religious writings and common culture.
Life did not put me directly on the support line that I needed at any given time. But since I was 13 years old, when my mother’s best friend pulled me aside and gave me a booklet on how to change from a young girl to a girl, I can name people who have profoundly influenced my view of the world, taught me the Laws of life, did my best, and trusted me more. These are names and faces I will never forget. Every counseling relationship is different, yet I think counseling, when respected and taken seriously, is always rewarding and enlightening.
One of my favorite pictures on this topic is “Childhood of Christ”(C1620) by 17th-century Dutch artist Gerrit van Honthorst. It is the story of Jesus’ childhood with his father, Joseph, a carpenter who trained him in the trade. It is a dark night, and Jesus, wearing a bright red robe, leans over a table and lights a candle for old Joseph to work. Two whispering angels, who look like children, stand back and point at the father and son, the student and the master. The picture has many religious symbols and meanings. It also highlights some of the factors that often disrupt academic relationships.
The candle creates a file of a telescope as a result, it shines on the faces of Joseph and Jesus. It reveals a number of things: that the boy only looks at the old man’s face and not at his work, and that he looks at him and worships him. Teaching goes beyond just providing skills or ideas. There is also the reflection of the counselor’s face, figuratively speaking. The counselors who have given me the most impact on my life are the ones I respect for their qualities and want to emulate, apart from any advice they give me.
For his part, Joseph, used the light of Jesus to continue to focus on his expertise. I think part of the gift in a mentoring relationship is that the presence of leaders in our lives illuminates our work and our presence, asking us to focus on what we are doing and how we are doing – perhaps beyond what we think is the limit to our growth and development. In this way teaching and inviting each other. Knowing the whole story in Christian culture, I know that everyone in this picture has a responsibility to be taught and taught. But these responsibilities appear in their lives at different times.
The angels in the background remind me of the role of the goddess Athena in teaching. The task of counseling, guiding and training everyone on every step of their lives has a sacred role. Relying on and being invited into someone’s life is something we tend to take lightly, sometimes it just focuses on the role that can help us become mentors, not the transformative power that technology plays in another life.
I look at the end of oil in the 19th century used “The Women’s Life Class” (c1879) an American photographer Alice Barber Stephens. This was her first published photo, and it came about as a result of her request – along with other female artists – for women to be allowed to attend art classes, at a time when it seemed inappropriate for dignified women. In this image, a group of female artists sit or stand, gathered around a female figure on stage. The women are crowding the room but still comfortable with each other, looking at the paint or looking back at each other’s chairs. They have fought for a place to improve their skills. By their very presence, they encourage one another.
© Alamy Stock Photo
It makes me think again of the women I met last week. They range in age from 20 to 60, cultural, racial, ethnic and sexual orientation. I see how six days later they connected more actively, how they patiently and enthusiastically listened to each other’s stories and communicated with each other, challenged each other to accept their fears, to be bold in their work and, similarly, in their lives.
I am reminded that mentoring can take place in all directions, both horizontally and spontaneously, beyond age and cultural and economic gaps, because no matter how many “we are,” we never miss an opportunity to teach each other. I’m reminded that you don’t know who can walk by your side, giving you everything you know you need and what you haven’t seen in need. Besides, in this life, aren’t all guests invited to help each other on our journey?
Enuma Okoro and a reporter for FT Life & Arts
Learn more about our latest news – follow @FTLifeArts on Twitter
[ad_2]
Source link
