The year 1997 begins. Olivier Martin becomes aware that it will be very difficult for humanity in general and that it will mark the end of an era. He grasps more and more distinctly that the work they accomplish is becoming important for the earth and humanity.

"The situation in the exterior world should still deteriorate. Forces of resistance will oppose all salvific projects of humans so as to maintain them in great confusion. We are entering more and more into the quarrel of all against all and only authentic spiritual schools will still be able to keep open the doors of good life and of the dignity of man. The Angel of 1997 does not love the prideful and the selfish. He wants, with his trumpet, to sound the end of an era. Thus, for us, the year 1997 must be a year of intense work, of mutual support and of construction for a new rejuvenated, replenished humanity."

For Olivier, acting within their community is not cutting oneself off from the rest of humanity. Quite the contrary, it is working for the earth and all its inhabitants in the will of the purest and the most luminous.

During this period, the dramatic history of the Solar Temple reinforces the suspicion of the collective mass with regard to all spiritual groupings and Olivier Martin sees that the world is afraid, afraid of everything and above all of those who do not think like them. This drama arouses a great questioning and this is why, in August 1997, it is judged preferable to give a new name to the School: it becomes the Evida School, which will enable new structures to be put in place.

"Several years ago, I had spoken the word 'There is a mocking, dividing, destructive spirit that humans have let enter into politics in such a way that it becomes absurd. Then, this spirit entered into art and now, it is forcing the doors of spirituality, even of Initiation, so as to confuse everything until even the most noble, the most grandiose quest that a human being can undertake is soiled, denatured, polluted.'

These things are now realized. At present, even spirituality is no longer safe and when a man begins to pray for the good of all beings, one wonders whether he is not in a sect, whether he is not a criminal of humanity. Stupidity, fear, the dispossession of the true being, of freedom appear, triumph and conduct man towards a tyranny where freedom of thought can be called into question and where everything is done to push men to divide themselves and to combat each other. This is why it is more necessary than ever to awaken in our inner reality and to give force and life to our teaching.

Evida is a place of gushing force and elevated inspiration for awakened men who want to learn, live and work together in harmony with nature, in growing freedom, for the elaboration of a new culture of Light."

It is at the end of September 1997, in the colours of autumn and of Saint Michael's Day, that the first child of Magali and Olivier is born, a son whom they name Nazarh. The Hebrew verb corresponding to this root "nazar" signifies "to choose to consecrate oneself to Divinity, to the Eternal One". The Village is in emotion. The arrival of Nazarh brings a new perfume, the promise of a future filled with the joyful laughter of children playing in the sun of Aveyron.

In November 1997, during a tour of lectures and seminars organized in Quebec by Diane Latendresse, Olivier Martin makes the acquaintance of Claire Landry. This meeting has its importance, for Claire will later open new doors by inviting Olivier to give teachings in the heart of the most important cities of this province of Canada. He does not yet know that Quebec will become a host land for the Children of the Light.

On the other hand, on the African continent, an Essene sister, Yvette, created several years ago a study group in Libreville, the capital of Gabon. She rapidly becomes a torchbearer for numerous Africans who feel comforted by the Teaching and aspire to go further in its study. Moreover, in great generosity, she offers her domain so as to realize there a second Essene Village.

At this end of year, Mama Yvette organizes a series of lectures for Olivier on the theme "Man before the Invisible World". Olivier then discovers a keen interest on the part of the Gabonese for his discourse, which stands out from the traditional teaching they are accustomed to hearing. It must be specified that Gabon is a former French colony which, nearly three centuries ago, was touched by the message of the Catholic Church and by that of an evangelical Protestant mission. The Gabonese people, religious by essence and by tradition, have known different mystico-spiritual currents come from the West and the East.

Wilfrid Amwane Edzogo, Gabonese Essene, remembers this meeting as if it dated from yesterday. He speaks of it with a sparkling smile and filled with an emotion that comes back to his memory when he evokes these blessed moments near Olivier, whom he had just met.

"In the beginning, we met among ourselves, Gabonese Essene students, in Libreville, in the Saint-Germain neighbourhood, where the headquarters of the Evida-Gabon School was located. We practised there above all the work of peace taught in the first teaching notebooks. A little later, we took the habit of going on Sundays to the Village Nkomizongo, marvellous domain offered by our sister Yvette to practise and celebrate the rituals. It was very verdant, filled with fruit trees and bird songs. A peaceful atmosphere reigned there. We were about twenty, happy to replenish ourselves and to live these intense moments. This small group was the nucleus of what was going to be born in the future. This time preceded the coming of Olivier on our Gabonese lands. He arrived from Terranova one day in December 1997 for a series of lectures. The Essenes of Gabon, entirely devoted to the Teaching, were very impatient to meet him. This meeting was for many the answer to the wish of the veritable seeker of Light who says: 'When the disciple is ready, the master appears.' Olivier, facing us, was of great simplicity and considered himself as our brother and friend."

Bearer of the primordial tradition, the Essene tradition, Olivier Martin feels more and more called to represent the Essenes worldwide, this people within all peoples. He thus sees rising before him this incredible mission: to awaken the Essenes of the entire world.

During this year 1997, while he transmits the teaching of the Essene tradition for seven years, Olivier Martin receives from the divine world his spiritual name: Manitara. Every authentic seeker can be astonished by the traces left consciously by all the great masters and sages of the past through history and notably through certain sacred names that reveal the common source from which these beings drew. This name is in fact an anagram of his civil name. One finds there the force and subtlety of the names of Masters Mani and Tara, which inform us about his destiny and his mission: Mani, the instructor, and Tara, the feminine form of awakening.

"The Garden of the Master", published this same year, will be the first book signed with this new author signature. Olivier Manitara is then 33 years old. This book is a unique testimony, that of an initiate acceding to spiritual mastery. His language is simple and humble, full of gentleness and also of knowledge and power. Veritable horn of abundance, "The Garden of the Master" offers the fruits of an eternal wisdom.