Zohar and Nefesh HaChayim

Text 1 (Nefesh HaChaim) emphasizes that in tefillah one must direct kavanah exclusively toward the essence of Ein Sof (עצמות אדון יחיד א״ס), transcending particular sefirot and divine forces, with the mechanism that specific sefirot are instruments of divine will. Text 2 (Zohar) describes mystical experience involving ascent through specific celestial realms and engagement with particular angelic forces (כרובים), suggesting contemplation of particular divine manifestations rather than undifferentiated Ein Sof. The texts differ in their prescription for where kavanah should be directed during spiritual work: the former advocates transcendence of particularity, the latter describes engagement with specific supernal entities and their operations.