Lately, I have been working with individuals who have benefited from a little mentorship in one or more areas of life. Mentorship is different than spiritual guidance in that the goal is not to impart knowledge or understanding, as much as it is to bring about an understanding of one’s own pre-existing nature. Recently, it occurred to me that others might benefit from these exchanges, and with permission to share them publicly, this column was born.

My favorite term for a mentor is Sensei, a Japanese word that means “one who has gone before”. A mentor or sensei is a compassionate taskmaster who offers mentees (students) physical agility, mental acuity, and spiritual harmony; how to think on their feet as it were. We typically associate the word sensei with martial arts, but it is also commonly used to show respect to someone who has attained (through work) a certain level or skill. I like it because it is not a title so much as a humble reference. It appears simply after a name or even instead of a name, focusing attention on the work rather than the individual. Sensei also means “teacher” or “ one who teaches the art of continuous improvement by example”.

A mentor has an appreciation for the unique lessons of life and the struggle to achieve one’s personal best. In this column, I hope to share some of the lessons I have learned and discuss many that I am still studying and striving to understand. I welcome and encourage you to share your questions, feedback, and topics for discussion.