Daily Frameworks for 13 October 2023

Istiqlál, 17 Mas͟híyyat (Will), 180 B.E.

Reflections on the Life of the Spirit

Quote for Reflection:

Intone, O My servant, the verses of God
that have been received by thee,
as intoned by them who have drawn
nigh unto Him,
that the sweetness of thy melody
may kindle thine own soul,
and attract the hearts of all men. —Bahá’u’lláh ¹

Question for Consideration:

What does the word “intone” mean? ²

Google Bard Response:

The word “intone” means to chant or recite in a musical or monotonous tone. It can also mean to speak or sing in a solemn or dignified way.

In the passage from Bahá’u’lláh that you quoted, He is asking His servant to recite the verses of God in a melodious and dignified way. He wants the servant to experience the sweetness of the verses for themselves, and also to use their voice to attract the hearts of others.

The word “intone” is often used in religious contexts to describe the chanting of prayers or hymns. It is also used in other contexts, such as in music and poetry, to describe the use of the voice to create a particular mood or atmosphere.

When we intone, we are using our voice to create a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. We are using our physical voice to express our inner spiritual feelings and experiences.

In the context of the passage from Bahá’u’lláh, intoning the verses of God is a way of connecting with God on a deeper level and of sharing His love and guidance with others.

Here are some examples of when we might intone:

• When we are singing a hymn or prayer in a religious service.
• When we are chanting a mantra or meditation.
• When we are reading poetry or prose aloud.
• When we are speaking in a public setting and want to create a sense of solemnity or reverence.
  

Intoning can be a powerful way to use our voice to connect with God and with others. It can also be a way to express our inner selves and to share our unique gifts with the world.

Question for Consideration:

How should we intone the verses of God?

Google Bard Response:

There is no one right way to intone the verses of God. Bahá’u’lláh simply says that we should intone them as intoned by them who have drawn nigh unto Him. This suggests that we should intone the verses with sincerity, reverence, and love.

Here are some tips for intoning the verses of God:

• Find a quiet place where you can be alone with God.
• Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
• Open your heart and mind to God’s love and guidance.
• Begin to intone the verses in a slow and deliberate manner.
• Pay attention to the meaning of the verses as you intone them.
• Allow the sweetness of the verses to kindle your own soul.
• Intone the verses with sincerity, reverence, and love.
  

You may also want to consider listening to recordings of others intoning the verses of God. This can give you some ideas on how to intone the verses yourself.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to intone the verses of God in a way that is meaningful to you and that helps you to connect with God on a deep and personal level.

Here are some additional tips:

• Use your voice to express the emotions of the verses. For example, if the verses are about joy, use a joyful tone of voice.
• Vary the volume and pitch of your voice to create interest.
• Use pauses and emphases to highlight important words and phrases.
• If you are singing the verses, choose a tempo and rhythm that is comfortable for you.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your own unique way of intoning the verses.
  

The most important thing is to intone the verses of God with sincerity and love. When you do this, you will be sharing God’s love and light with the world.

1. Bahá’u’lláh, The Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá. “Bahá’í Prayers: A Selection of Prayers Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, The Báb, and ’Abdu’l-Bahá.” Bahá’í Reference Library. Accessed October 13, 2023. https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/prayers/bahai-prayers/1#358258487. ↩
2. Ruhi Institute. Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. 4.1.2.PE May 2020. Vol. Book 1. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Institute, 2020, 19. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#RLS ↩