Zohar and Nefesh HaChayim

Text 1 (Nefesh HaChaim) emphasizes kavanah as deliberate, conscious direction of the heart (לפנות לבו) and mental intention toward the words of prayer (הכוונה השלימה לתיבות התפלה). It cites rabbinic sources requiring the prayer to consciously direct his heart (צריך שיכוין את לבו). Text 2 (Zohar) describes a mystical ascent involving closing the eyes (אַסְתִּים עַיְינִין), connection to higher realms (אִתְקְשַׁר לְעֵילָּא), and auditory-mystical phenomena (שָׁמַע קוֹל), suggesting an intuitive, ecstatic dimension beyond conscious verbal intention. Both relate to kavanah in prayer, but Text 1 stresses rational, conscious intention while Text 2 emphasizes mystical absorption and transcendent experience. Not a direct contradiction, but different conceptions of what constitutes proper kavanah in tefillah.