Hayom Yom

There are three forms of Hitbon'nut (contemplation, meditation):

Study-meditation:

mastering the concept thoroughly, one meditates on its profundity, until the intellectual element shines forth for him.

Meditation before davening:

is directed toward sensing the vitality of the concept learned, in contrast to sensing the intellectual element emphasized in study-meditation.

Meditation in Davening:

sense the "G-dly element" in the concept learned.

These three are rungs on the ladder of sensitivity.

It is only by G-d's kindness towards us that we may occasionally sense G-dhood spontaneously, without any Avoda at all.

This comes about by virtue of the quality of Ultimate Essential G-dhood [1] within the soul.

For Avoda by one's own efforts, however, these three forms of meditation are essential.

Notes:

Atzmut.