This book has been well received by the Bahá’ís, especially in the United States and Canada. We did not know a book on teaching would become so popular. Out of the original 5,000 copies, we still have about one thousand copies left. It will be several years before we will reprint this book.
Several communities have organized successful classes around this book. Teaching is a skill that can best be developed through interaction. Therefore holding classes on this topic is essential.
Many Bahá’ís put teaching at the low end of their daily agenda. The rate of our growth in most developing nations has been excellent. The reverse has been true in the west. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asked each of us to teach and confirm one person every year. If we fail to change our priorities, it may take us a hundred years to accomplish what ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said should be done in one year!
If you want to live a long and enjoyable life, make teaching the prime purpose of your life. Scientific studies indicate that Samaritans are happier, healthier, and live longer. Is there anything we can offer to someone that compares with giving life to his soul?
American Health magazine reported the findings of a study by the University of Michigan’s Research Center. This study shows that, “more than any other activity, doing regular voluntary work dramatically increases life expectancy. It’s more important than jogging or aerobics. Help somebody else and you will live longer. You will have more vitality, more energy, and more zest for life.”
We can gain not only a long life but everlasting life simply by teaching someone else about everlasting life! Since teaching is our foremost obligation, we encourage you to obtain a copy of Teaching: The Crown of Immortal Glory, and study it fervently. Teaching without the benefit of the knowledge of communication and transformation skills is like going to modern war without weapons. Bahá’u’lláh Himself uses the metaphor of “war.” Why does He use such a metaphor? Because in this age of confusion and cults, people have turned their hearts into a battleground surrounded by barricades and escape routes. Their minds are filled with mines that can explode with a touch.
Teaching: The Crown of Immortal Glory shows you how to win the spiritual war, not with weapons, but with wisdom-the source of every virtue, every noble deed.
We have decreed that war shall be waged in the path of God with the armies of wisdom and utterance, and of a goodly character and praiseworthy deeds. -Bahá’u’lláhh (Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 24)
The trumpet has sounded and all is ready, but no one goes out to war. -Ezekiel 7:14