“Sometimes the father figure has to be killed in order for the sons and daughters to have space to discover themselves.”

Mastery, Chapter 3, The Mentor Dynamic

The mentor-protégé dynamic often replays elements from our childhood.

Although a mentor can be either a man or a woman, they often assume the form of a father figure.

The mentors represent wise and experienced fathers, there to guide and help us.

We, the protégés, represent energetic and passionate children, led in the correct and most beneficial directions.

With that being said, we should expect and embrace this father-child dynamic when selecting and committing to our mentors.

Our goal is to absorb as much from these more experienced Masters as possible, and so we must be willing to submit ourselves to them.

After all, what makes the mentor-protégé dynamic so intense and productive is the emotional quality of the relationship, and there are few dynamics more emotionally rich than that of the father and the young, subservient child.

However, submitting to their authority is by no means unconditional.