SCIENCE OF 
THE IMMORTALS 
(SOTI)

The aphorism starts innocuously - with the Teacher asking the Student a straight forward yet fundamental question, which almost all of us at some point in our lives, will ask - "what is the purpose / meaning of life?"  Students typically will have rehearsed answers, ready to regurgitate such answers, when quizzed by their Teacher.  The answers themselves, will most likely be drawn from Sacred Texts, teachings, writings and aphorisms, drawn from the religious and spiritual traditions of that organisation, which have been given by its Founders and Teachers.  

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The act of repetition by Students can over time, dull the sharpness of the 'insight,' 'wit' and 'profundity' of the Student given answer.  Teachers are aware of this - and unknown to most Students, when a Teacher asks such a question, s/he is seeking to be enlightened by the Student.  How can this be? and how does this happen?  It is in the giving by the Student to an 'innocuous question,' a startling / profound answer.  

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The answer given by SOTI then President Candice Lemonius, is the innovative origin of the 3 part 'Triad Mind Structure,' which has become associated with her and is now a part of the classical form of the SOTI dialogue question and answer structure.  This 'Triad Mind Structure,' mimics the much revered syllogism in Western philosophy. 

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The 'Triad Mind Structure' is as follows; 

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(1)  The Student repeats the Teacher's question, however with a subtle change of wording of the question, exhibiting and demonstrating that s/he has understood the question and able to confidently repeat it to the Teacher.  This is a common SOTI practice, where the Teacher will make a statement and require not just an answer - but first a repetition of the statement in the Student's own words.  This is to show that the Student has properly understood what s/he is required to answer.

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(2)  Here this Student Candice Lemonius introduces an innovation reverting to the original statement of the Teacher using the word "purpose" of life... to demonstrate that she has understood the original question but 'cheekily' throwing back the Teacher's statement, this has been known as the cheeky retort and forms part 2 of the 'Triad Mind Structure.' 

 

Why was this structure incorporated into this 'Triad Mind Structure?' - What does it add in revealing the understanding of the Student?  It demonstrates, not just 'Understanding' (1) but 'Dexterity' (2) in the 'Use of Language' and 'Playfulness' (3).  Thus -'Understanding,' 'Dexterity' and 'Playfulness' become 3 hallmarks of the SOTI individual.  

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(3)  The answer itself seems almost ridiculous!  - In that, the 'subject' becomes the 'object,' how can that be?  This is a profound paradox.  

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The successful creation of a paradox, marks the arrival of a Master / Mistress.  

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THE TEACHER'S RESPONSE

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The Teacher's answer "what?!" - that sentence, has now become - an irrelevance.  For the Student has assumed the role of Master / Mistress. 

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© Commentary written by Oladipo Adegboyega Adelaja, SOTI Collected Works