So far, the levels that were described here take a lot of work. But, going further, loving Hashem is deepened when we reveal how our soul is a “portion of G-d from above”. The more one recognizes that his true nature is that he is part of Hashem (as it were), he awakens his soul’s nature, and naturally, he will long for his root.
In this way, without working on love for Hashem directly, one can work on awakening his soul root, by revealing how his soul is a portion from above. One can do it either by internalizing how his soul is connected with the Torah, or in other ways. When one penetrates to the light of his neshamah, he uncovers the soul’s love for Hashem. You find what’s hidden there when you reveal it from its potential state.
Loving Hashem can either be revealed through uncovering one’s identity as a soul which is a portion of G-d from above, or, as a student of the Rasha writes, one comes to love Hashem by loving His nation, the Jewish people. Through uncovering the soul, one begins from Hashem’s love for the person and that awakens the soul’s love for Hashem. This is an indirect way of gaining love for Hashem without working on loving Hashem directly.
It is also lishmah. Whereas a person can think of how much Hashem loves him and that awakens his love for Hashem – which is shelo lishmah, because it is self-focused – the higher level is where a person uncovers a love for Hashem that is lishmah, in which he uncovers the soul’s very nature to love Hashem on its own [upon becoming aware that his soul is a portion from G-d above].
THE HIGHEST LEVEL - ONE WITH HASHEM
Finally, we shall mention a higher level, in order to complete the discussion. Above this level is the purpose of Creation: to reveal how we are really “one” with Hashem. “Hashem, Torah, and Yisrael are one” - as an intrinsic unit that doesn’t depend on anything. When one uncovers love for Hashem from this highest source, it is a love that never ceases.