Dear Diary

‘It’s been a month since our last meeting. The professor and Ho Ling still haven’t made amends following their heated argument and I fear that we are moving even further apart. Masilo did mention that they’re busy with their preparations for the future and therefore didn’t have any free time.

I do miss our regular meetings! But I suppose that’s just the way it has to be for now - hopefully they’ll reconcile soon.

The whole planet has been put to work. There are constant announcements from Ho Ling on the Library that resonate more like rhetorical propaganda. Nobody takes time out to go to the holocinema anymore. Anyway, the programming schedule mostly contains more repeat announcements than shows of worth.

No one appears to be having fun anymore. Work and duty preoccupy everybody - Anyway, I suppose it’s for the best. Hopefully we’ll be back to normal once this time is up...’

‘Rosita, would you please hurry up with that diary entry’ motioned the professor, ‘we have to get going!’

‘Hang on a minute. I’ll be there now’ Rosita responded. ‘End of diary entry’ she hurriedly recorded and placed her Signal Bracelet back on her arm.

Rosita and the professor had scheduled yet another meeting with the Traditionalists. This fringe group was noticeably different from the rest of the planet, as they had taken the initial set of historical records that the professor hastily scrambled onto microfilm and applied some of these past traditions, as best they could figure out, in their lives. Unlike the other inhabitants, they had fashioned themselves clothing to wear and had adopted laws from the biblical references they had uncovered. The professor and Rosita felt that this was a good place to start, as their task in convincing the people of the events to come would be made much simpler.

The Traditionalists had graciously organized a videoconference involving all of their members in and around the various cities. Each town had set up holographic projectors in open fields of land to display a life-sized image of the professor, while each individual could alternatively view the entire broadcast on his or her Signal Bracelet, if they so preferred. Professor Ranjith would thus be broadcast, in the form of a hologram, to all of the separate groups.

Ho Ling, Masilo and Adam were also engaged in a meeting of their own. Converging in the Library building conference room, they discussed the planet’s future and the measures that would be needed to deal with the situation once the year was up. Adam suggested a continuation of life as it was but Ho Ling and Masilo strongly objected to this. Having experienced the Old World, the two students were keen to help avoid the mistakes of the past. As such, they went about convincing Adam that he could both rely and depend on their expertise and dedication in assisting the people of the New World.

Professor Ranjith and Rosita, on arriving at the Traditionalist meeting spot, first warmly greeted the lead figures and then went about preparing for this all-important conference. As the Traditionalist members routinely held such conferences, they easily went about setting everything in place. The professor was scheduled to take questions from viewers in the various locations by means of the Library network.

Meanwhile, Ho Ling and Masilo, in their private conference with Adam, explained that the entire social structure would have to change. As this society was highly developed, they went about assuring Adam that the transition would be relatively smooth. In fact, many of their suggestions had already been implemented and they only needed Adam’s approval to implement even more far-reaching changes.

The entire planet was assigned work to do. In addition to these measures, Ho Ling had gone about demarcating all non-essential factories for conversion, increasing production of the androids that performed the labor-intensive tasks required by the society.

Recorded broadcasts, periodically put out by Ho Ling and Masilo, focused on dealing with the challenges that everyone would face in the upcoming year. Hence, most of the inhabitants kept track of any new development in this regard.

The professor now stood ready to address the crowds seated on the grass. Three cameras, remotely controlled by the Library, hovered about the professor, continually adjusting position and angle to capture the best available holographic picture. Shifting periodically, they relayed his message to the viewers in the various locations.

Initiating his conference address, Professor Ranjith explained that within eleven months the lifestyle that the planets’ inhabitants were accustomed to would be drastically altered. In view of this, he and Rosita were mounting a concerted effort to minimize the effects of this forthcoming disruption. In preparing for this adjustment, and for a more in-depth explanation, he encouraged the inhabitants to freely visit his room accessible on the Library.

Many of the inhabitants had virtual rooms out on the Library Cybernet. Visiting these, one could gain personal knowledge of individual citizens and their interests. The host gave you a guided tour of his world, beamed straight to the holographic projector of your personal Signal Bracelet.

Professor Ranjith urged his viewers to acquire every bit of available information about the future that was set to come. This, he went on to explain, would greatly assist them in dealing with the obstacles that they were set to face.

In addition to this, the four newcomers had succeeded in transforming much of the Old World history, taken from the databases of the Energy Reversal Chamber, into holographic form on the Library. Many inhabitants, having viewed these intriguing stories on their Signal Bracelets and in the holocinema, were thus familiar with past events.

Using their knowledge of the past, along with the historical information downloaded from the Reversal Chamber, Ho ling and Masilo had drawn up intricate plans to fence off large tracts of land for the various animal groups. Having persuaded Adam to give the go ahead, they initiated these programs and, together with the engineering staff of the Library, had all available androids move all the animals that were close to human settlements to safer distances from the towns.

The two separate pairs of newcomers, though not having the same frequent contact they had previously enjoyed, agreed that in view of the impending virus, they should ensure that the normally tame animal population, which could become a real threat to the townspeople, was fenced off in the wild.

Ho Ling and Masilo, going a step further, covertly set up a remote top-secret laboratory for research and development. In an effort to mimic the expected effect of the virus, they had androids conducting clandestine surgical procedures on the various animal species.

The professor, after concluding his short introduction, spoke directly into the hovering cameras, vocally requesting questions from his viewers.

The Library selected and patched through a caller from the automated queue on its system. The caller’s image instantly appeared on holographic screens around the globe, positioned directly alongside the professor, while the caller’s personal Signal Bracelet notified him that he was on air.

‘What are the main effects of this virus we hear about on the daily broadcasts and what should we be concerned with?’ he inquired.

Professor Ranjith, having prepared for such questions, proceeded to answer as best he could.

‘The virus that will come into effect’ he began ‘will introduce this World to the knowledge of bad. Currently, all of you - the inhabitants of the planet - have only the knowledge of good. As such, your eye is simple and you live ignorant and innocent towards doing and perceiving what is bad. Once the virus has taken effect though, your perception of the world will change and you will have to decide for yourselves whether to do and feel good or to do and feel bad.

While you now only perceive the world with a positive range of thoughts and emotions, the virus will introduce you to the negative range. You will then be flooded by new feelings, becoming ashamed and fearful, together with confusing thoughts and resultant emotional turmoil. Presently you choose good in the absence of bad but you will, in only eleven months time, have the knowledge of both good and bad.’

Professor Ranjith now requested the next question, at which point the holographic image of the caller next to him faded away.

A female voice sprung forth, her image popping up next to the professor.

‘Why are you newcomers relocating all the animals away from the towns?’ she asked. ‘Many of us do not understand the reason for this, as we have always had them with us and would like our children to grow up around them.’

‘The knowledge of good and bad’ explained professor Ranjith ‘will effect everything around you. The world, the plant and animal life, will revert to their natural state. So while the animals have a calm temperament at the moment, it will not be the case when this virus takes effect. You will have to prepare for these changes, as the animals will once again run wild, while the ground will grow thorns and thistles. These are just a few of the pitfalls of the natural world that is set to come into being. Look at the history of the Old Earth from which we come for clues. You must, as of now, prepare for life in the real world’

A new image popped up as the professor took another question.

‘What preparations are we expected to make for the future?’ he asked.

‘Well... you must not allow the knowledge of bad and its consequences to overwhelm you. I am forewarning you so that you can make preparations for the things to come. It is important to build up a strong foundation of values and trust amongst yourselves, because once trust and understanding dwindles; your world will start on a downward spiral. You will henceforth have to choose between the natural world and the righteous world. As such, you must continually persist in doing what is good and put faith in the knowledge of good, even in the face of feelings of fear.’

The professor, looking up at the hovering camera in front, issued forth his instruction to the Library:

‘Next question...’

‘I have seen in the holocinema’ stated the caller ‘that you lived in a world rife with sin. What is this sin that they speak of?’ he asked.

‘Sin’ explained the professor thinking quickly, ‘are actions that you take that have a ripple effect of negative consequences. Therefore, there are available guidelines in avoiding such actions in history and in the commandments, which as Traditionalists, you are aware can be read off the Library. You need to examine all of these and apply them to your life so that, as a society, you can prosper. In addition, you will gain favor with God if you do not sin.’

‘Since we have never before had the knowledge of bad’ the caller queried, ‘how are we meant to discern what is good and what is bad?’

‘Though we cannot cover every instance or scenario and determine for you what is good and bad, you will be aware of what is bad by your observations. When you move away from what is perfect towards what is polluted, then you are moving toward sin.

If what you do is not good for you, not good for neighbor, not good for the earth and not good for righteousness then it will result in detrimental consequences and it will not be good for God. Ask what the consequence of your action would be if everybody on the planet persisted in doing exactly the same. Would the situation improve or regress? Continually look to the consequences when embarking on any activity. Also… review our historical errors for help in this regard.’

The Library patched through the next caller.

‘What are we meant to do differently when this world that you speak of comes into being?’ he asked.

‘You will need to effect a change in lifestyle and follow rules that work to establish a moral society. These rules are designed to protect and provide healthy living for everyone on the planet. If you fail to do this, you stand the risk of becoming victims of the knowledge of bad.

The knowledge of bad, if you persist in its use, will give rise to wicked reasoning, murders, adulteries, fornication, thievery, false testimonies, blasphemies and all sorts of dark motives that stem from the heart. This, in the future, will manifest itself in the form of poverty, social distress, crime, urban slums, broken homes, child abuse, abortion clinics, thievery, murder, rape, pollution, bigotry, selfish nationalism, wars, a lack of concern and consequential suffering for all of your future widows and orphans. In such a world you do not have to stand waiting for the devil to come from the ground. All you need do is take a look around!

To get a broader idea of what I’m saying you must imagine a world of possessions, imagine a world of separate countries, imagine a world of people who have some cause to kill or die for - imagine a world of people fighting over all the world…

Now I know that all of that sounds like a dream to you - but that is precisely the kind of world you will wind up with. This, I assure you is the true representation of things to come if you press forward and persist in the use of the knowledge of bad! Check the Library for all the information uploaded from the past. We’ve been down that road. You see, the world that we came from - that’s the sick place. The world you live in now is the way the world should be.’

The professor paused, then prompted the next call...

‘If you could discern the detrimental consequences of the world you lived in’ inquired the caller ‘why did you persist in a course of action that was of no benefit to you?’

‘It’s hard to say’ responded the professor thoughtfully. ‘There were many individuals who tried to warn us that the path we were taking was wrong. Some of the noticeable examples of our time - people like Martin Luther King JR, Mohandas Gandhi, Nelson Mandela… also Mother Theresa - these were some of the individuals who showed us a way forward.

And then there were environmental organizations that campaigned for the welfare of our planet but… even with all of this, we didn’t listen. In fact, there were many preachers of righteousness; yet, in many instances, our wicked world tormented or murdered these voices of reason... even as some asked: How long shall they kill our prophets while we stand aside and look...?

- Perhaps we just spiraled out of control…’

Masilo and Ho Ling were meanwhile refining their policies and presenting them to Adam. Some were spur of the moment, others works in progress.

‘We are going to require extra rescue and policing services’ recommended Ho Ling to Adam, ‘as well as establish an electorate and you as the legitimate ruler of the people. All of this is better done before the knowledge of bad comes into effect.

In addition, we have to divide the planet’s resources equitably among all the people as possessions are sure to be a major point of contention as history itself has taught.’

‘Oh surely such drastic measures are not really necessary’ queried Adam. ‘Our people have always shared everything on the planet. And they have at all times shared equitably with each other. You certainly need not be concerned in this regard. We will never ever leave our fellowman unattended - not now - and not after this knowledge that you speak of is introduced’ he confidently assured.

‘What?’ protested Masilo astounded, wholly taken aback by Adam’s casual commentary. ‘You are certainly not contemplating living in a world without possessions! You do not even begin to comprehend the gravity of what you are saying…’

Masilo paused, sighed, placed his hands behind his head and leant back into his chair.

‘This needs to be done’ he declared, ‘to prevent widespread conflict. The general nature of man is to snatch wealth and gain power over his fellowman in any form or disguise he can conjure up. That world that you speak of - it exists only in the imagination of John Lennon.’

‘Who...?’

‘Never mind. This is something that needs to be done - you have to trust that we know what we are talking about.’

Adam, however, was not totally satisfied.

‘If you divide up the planet and its resources you will drive all of the people apart’ he queried. ‘For ten centuries we have co-existed as one united nation. Certainly we must work to keep everybody closer together’ he suggested. ‘Your proposal will dismantle our society at a time when we need one, united, family of people.’

‘Mm... Perhaps you do have a valid argument there’ Ho Ling concurred thoughtfully. ‘Maybe we could somehow manage all of the resources to the benefit of all?’

‘Oh no you don’t...’ interrupted Masilo sternly. ‘This has been tested before. People have tried having one corporation, with one board of directors and a working class’ he pointed out, glancing in the direction of Ho Ling, ‘They called it Communism, remember! Since that system collapsed we don’t need to bother with it a second time.’

Masilo relaxed and breathed a simper along with Ho Ling.

‘Look’ he continued, facing towards Adam, ‘history has taught us that if you try to force people together, they invariably move apart. On the other hand, when allowed their freedom, they tend to voluntarily move closer together.

If you want to form a state and want to be a statesman, then the individual must be more important than the state and not the state more important than the individual.’

‘So, what does all of this mean?’ asked Adam confused.

Ho Ling intruded, responding to the question before Masilo could even fully process its total implication.

‘It means’ he presumptuously augmented, ‘that we have to set up a whole lot of separate corporations so that the workers can play one capitalist against another or become capitalists themselves…’

He smugly nodded at Masilo in conclusion of his crisp retort.

‘No…’ corrected Masilo ‘I’m not suggesting a return to corporate socialism! We must work to abolish all forms of economic slavery and eradicate economic injustice in all of its varied disguises. We have to start off with a different mindset and combine the best aspects of both systems.’

‘And how do we do that?’ asked Ho Ling, seeking greater clarity on the matter.

Masilo had already considered various alternatives and now presented an option to the two men at the table.

‘We will adopt a system that best serves the interests of the corporation as a whole - and not just the privileged few. Such a system will rid us of the old feudal system of corporate management and take the interests of the workers into account. Now, the way to best achieve this is to introduce a Wage Scale system. Workers are paid on a scale that is in direct relation to the performance of the company and thus, when the company performs well and the profits increase, the wage of the individual worker fluctuates in direct accordance with the profitability of the undertaking.’

‘That, I need not remind you’ intruded Ho Ling ‘will be fine when all goes well - but no one will accept that arrangement during leaner times.’

‘Well,’ clarified Masilo ‘for such times each individual will be obliged to make compulsory payments into a Wage Insurance Fund; to cushion their basic wage until the financial fundamentals improve or the business eventually closes its doors.’

‘Yes, that’s all well and good’ agreed Ho Ling ‘but if you spread out all of the profits as soon as they are generated, how do you expect these companies to grow without building a substantial capital reserve?’

‘That’s fairly simple to overcome’ replied Masilo. ‘In the absence of readily available external investment possibilities, the corporation will borrow capital from the Wage Insurance Fund in exchange for shares issued to the employees.’

‘Excellent!’ replied Ho Ling, immediately comprehending that Masilo’s proposal contained some aspects of the socialistic protections he wanted to introduce. ‘We can eliminate the systemic problem as every individual in the company will be both a worker and a capitalist, so he or she will give their best effort to the corporation as a whole.’

Ho Ling paused momentarily caught up in visionary thought.

‘You know the thing I always hated about the rat race’ he babbled to the distracted Masilo ‘is that even if you win - you're still a rat. So I think we need to all just jog along together this time around; I believe we need to work on this proposal and enact it into law...’

With that he tabled it the Capicom Project.

Meanwhile, back at the public conference, the holographic image alongside professor Ranjith changed again, connecting the next caller.

‘The media informed us’ began the caller ‘that we have to start using a monetary system as well as elect leaders to rule over us. We have never before had any need for this so why are we doing so now - what purpose are these things to serve?’

‘These two systems’ answered the professor ‘will be introduced as a direct result of the new knowledge that you will receive.’

Professor Ranjith paused momentarily to mentally find a way to infuse a greater understanding of these principles into the mind of his audience.

‘In your world you are all willing workers’ he began, ‘and you all have a good spirit of co-operation. But, this might not be the case in the near future. Because your behavior is sure to change somewhat, you will require various systems to continually ensure your future co-operation. The monetary system serves to do this! It will therefore be implemented to reward everyone in relation to his or her contribution to society as a whole. Well, this is what the financial system is supposed to do anyway.

Fortunately for you, you will be able to easily do all of your transactions via your Signal Bracelets. For this reason a bank is currently being set up on the Library. This centralized bank will serve to regulate and control all of your necessary financial dealings. You must understand that in the natural world, co-operation among men is not always as it should be, so this system will hopefully serve to fairly reward you for your labors.’

The professor moved slightly to his right. The hovering cameras followed like tail-wagging puppies excited at the arrival of their master and, once again, positioned themselves in the optimal spot.

‘The reasons for the electorate’ he continued ‘follow along similar lines. Once you encounter the natural world, you will require leaders among you who will hopefully protect your freedoms and serve your social interests. In a truly democratic system, you the people, are entitled to freely vote for any candidate of your choosing.’

Ho Ling and Masilo, liaising with the Library engineers, had already finalized the arrangements for the banking system on the Library.

‘We’ve decided that we should hold elections in the tenth month’ Ho Ling explained to Adam. ‘It will ensure that they are free and fair as none of you have the knowledge of bad as yet’ he elaborated. ‘The four of us, as newcomers, will be excluded from the entire process and you will rightfully be elected as the first president of Eden. The two of us will, of course, continue on staff as your personal Advisors, to aid you in overcoming any hurdles that could be encountered and to offer our experienced input.’

The three men nodded in agreement as Adam raised the next issue.

‘I have been looking at the new rate of production of androids that you’ve initiated’ he began, addressing Ho Ling, ‘and with these increased production targets the Library engineers have estimated that they will outnumber the population of the planet by four to one. Could you explain to me why we are producing such a large quantity? Surely, from any given perspective, you must realize that such an action is not prudent?’

‘This is simply a temporary measure’ reassured Ho Ling. ‘We need to stimulate growth and achieve as much development in this year as we possibly can, before the things that are destined to come occur. The additional androids coming out of the Genetecosis Project will do all of the labor-intensive activities required to ensure that the transition to the natural world is as smooth as possible. In addition, we need to train a percentage of these androids to do rescue and policing services, until such time that we have trained a sufficient number of the population to replace them.’

Sensing that he wasn’t properly understood, Ho Ling clarified his contention.

‘It will not be possible to live from day to day as you presently do. You will no longer be receiving all of the good things in life on a silver platter and, as such, it will no longer be just another day for you and me in Paradise.

As of now, you have to wisely plan for weeks, months and years ahead. We have to increase our total productive output, build storage facilities, refrigeration devices - water and energy facilities. We must produce and store every available resource for as long as all of the planetary conditions remain slanted in our favor. While the weather is presently consistent all year round, you will find that because of the environmental changes due to occur, inconsistent weather and seasonal changes will arise. Arrangements have to be made to endure the much harsher conditions of an unforgiving earth. It is therefore imperative to build up our wealth, preparing for the worst while we hope for the best. And once the whole process is complete, we will simply destroy all of the droids that are of no use to us.’

‘Destroy the androids?’ queried Adam alarmed. ‘We have never unnecessarily destroyed anything in our entire history. We pride ourselves on that.’

‘It’s the best option’ reassured Masilo. ‘We do not have the time to decommission and store all of the androids that will be created. And once the knowledge of good and bad is prevalent in this society they could, at a future time, fall into the wrong hands and be used for subversive purposes. It would be much safer to make the unneeded androids obsolete.’

‘I cannot agree to that’ Adam persisted. ‘You will have to find another way to preserve them for future use. The ideology of create and destroy - isn’t that the very mentality that brought your world into disrepute and ruin?’

Ho Ling looked up at Masilo with knowing concern. They had already discussed this at length and presumptuously instructed their Alpha team of androids to construct a fiery furnace in a design reminiscent of those operated by the Nazis during the Holocaust of the Second World War. Located in a remote part of the planet, the project was well concealed so that this destruction could take place without any undue interference. But, as Adam was firm in his decision, they knew that, without needing to speak, the project would have to be kept secret. They therefore hurriedly gave him their assurance that they would find an alternative means of dealing with this problem.’

‘And finally’ said Ho Ling, ‘we have to settle down on a written constitution and a judicial system. We’ve already run ads on the Library and in the holocinema asking for input. I’ve also got some of the engineers currently running smart algorithmic sequences using constitutional models of the Old World to facilitate the entire process. So I’m confident that by the time everyone goes to the polls, we will have a set of rules that we can all live by...’

Back at the public conference the professor patched through the next caller.

‘Professor Ranjith’ he started ‘we constantly see advertisements, among other things, that in the near future we will have constitutional rules that we will be bound to live by. This seems to be a complicated process that serves no practical purpose. We have, for centuries, passed our ways down from one generation to the next. Could you please explain why we need a system that is so much different from the one that has worked from generation to generation?’

‘I’m glad you raised this point’ responded the professor with interest. ‘This is precisely the reason that I am addressing you today, to share with you the options that you have available when this year ends.

The constitution’ explained the professor ‘is designed for the protection of all the inhabitants in the future set to come. As you ready yourselves for the introduction of the knowledge of good and bad, when all things revert back to the state of the world that we are from, it is important to keep what I say in mind. You will again be living in the natural world and it is vital to prepare for this and avoid the mistakes of the past!

We come from a world steeped in historical lessons and by learning from these; you can avoid many of the calamities it suffered. You have a unique opportunity to sidestep every conceivable error that was made back then and we, who come from that past world, can aid you to do this.

The constitution to be set up for you is also designed for the natural world and caters for every individual on the planet. You must remember however, that this constitution was written by men, for all men and, as such, is designed by and for individuals who have the knowledge of both good and evil. It will therefore contain natural ‘rights’ that are righteous ‘wrongs’. And while the constitution will guarantee you a degree of freedom in the natural world to come, you can, with wisdom, seek a life far above and beyond that which any constitution has to offer. I am here today to get you to look beyond the natural and reach for a life in excess of what any constitution can present.

This is an opportunity for you’ he continued ‘to work for a future that will get you enormous benefits and make you a great and prosperous nation. Firstly though, I must present you with a few warnings that I’ve gathered from our past. Remember that if you do not learn from history, you are very likely to repeat it.’

The crowd looked at the professor with renewed interest.

‘The first and foremost lesson is to develop a consciousness of the world about you. You must be vigilant, maintaining an awareness of the potentially detrimental effects that the knowledge of bad can have on your life. Should you fail to take cognizance of this, your life is bound to be a somewhat unpleasant one, while the danger exists that you could lose your hope in the world. It is for this very reason your firm responsibility to, at all times, keep your spirit strong.’

The professor then went on to give his listeners a few guidelines to counter the internal turmoil that the knowledge of bad would bring, knowing full well that this recorded message would mainly be of importance to the crowds in the future that was set to come.

‘As of next year’ he stressed ‘you will live in a different world. This is a world where opportunity and risk ride side by side. It is therefore to your advantage to know now what things can help you and what things can hurt you when you work for your enrichment.

Safeguard yourself’ he warned, ‘and be careful not to develop a poor self-image. A poor self-image results in negative thoughts. And if you excessively contemplate what is bad then your mind will be made over to those thoughts’ he advised. ‘Such thoughts will then influence your choices and you will become a servant of your choices. This could cripple you, leaving you in danger of becoming a victim of the knowledge of bad.

The knowledge of bad serves only to dampen your spirit, cause you emotional pain, depression, despair, loss of self respect, to focus on failure and in some instances lose your will to live. Subsequently, this could result in sin as you attempt to overcome the effects of these negative emotions on you.’

Professor Ranjith paused momentarily, maintaining eye contact with his global audience by way of the roving cameras.

‘Keep a strong watch on your emotions. Emotional wants and desires can corrode your inner-worth and lead you to surrender to evil, deterioration, destruction and death. Therefore,’ he emphasized ‘safeguard your hearts and do not let feelings of bitterness, frustration, rage, anger or hatred cripple you or undermine your self-worth.

If you should exist without self-love, then you risk hating the world and your neighbor as much as you hate yourself’ professor Ranjith counseled in a more somber tone. ‘Remember that you cannot love anyone else properly if you despise or degrade yourself. A defeatist attitude, along with negative thoughts and emotions, will make your problems appear unsolvable and you will block your true potential.’

‘If you instead develop a spirit of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, mildness and self-control then you will find that the knowledge of bad is further removed from you.’

‘For this reason’ he emphasized, ‘it will be imperative to avoid spending your time considering what is bad and instead consider what is good. Develop for yourselves a joyous spirit and a positive life-style. Guard your hearts and minds and contemplate on whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are of good report, whatever things there are of virtue and whatever things are praiseworthy - think on these things. Maintaining strong principles within your hearts and minds will protect you - for as a man thinks, that is what he is. And as a man thinks, that is what he becomes.

When you work through difficulties and adversities to overcome obstacles, you become a stronger person. Belief in you makes for happiness’ he advised. ‘Gain and hold fast to the traits of love, care and compassion. Work to develop for yourself a culture of caring and understanding by constantly looking out for and working towards aiding your fellowman.

People need love to survive in the world - so be love-givers and raise their self-esteem. Always do for others the things that you want them to do for you - and love your neighbor as yourself.’

Professor Ranjith paused and smiled outwardly at the crowds sitting before him.

‘You…’ he continued, pointing to the crowds with his outstretched, overturned hand ‘are like healthy babies born in the natural world. They have a high opinion of themselves just as you do. This will endure, as long as you do not allow the stumbling blocks of the world to rob you of your inner-worth.’

Professor Ranjith looked away from the front camera, placed his hand in front of his mouth, and cleared his throat.

‘Self-discipline is your key to success’ he affirmed ‘as the greatest victory is the victory over self. You can’t separate your faith from the lifestyle that you lead - for where the mind goes the body follows. Following your natural tendency could ultimately leave you defeated in the world.’

Professor Ranjith, now feeling slightly more relaxed, freely walked about on the stage.

‘God did not make man so that he could crawl through life in the dirt’ he enthused. ‘So feed your mind and maintain your self-image. Use the Library and get your consciousness filled with the true knowledge of God. If you prove yourself worthy of God’s love, you will walk tall as men and women of dignity. For as God did not intend for men to receive the knowledge of evil, God still has a way for man - even in the natural world.’

Shifting position, professor Ranjith continued to address the crowd.

‘In your new environment’ he cautioned ‘you will encounter many problems and from within yourselves you will need to find answers to these.

Remember though, that as you live in the natural world you will be tempted to look for short cuts, quick fixes and temporary solutions. These are precisely the mistakes that were made in former times’ he emphasized ‘so do not you make the same errors in judgment. For a secure, prosperous and worthwhile future keep a righteous disposition and focus on the greater good, not on your own self-centered aims.’