Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
Does not understanding the meaning of your awrad prevent you from attaining presence of heart whilst reading them?
If you can read the Arabic but you do not understand the language, then it is sufficient for you to bring to your heart the greatness and majesty of Allah and to be aware that in reading those invocations which the Prophet taught that you are following him. You should also imagine that you are in the blessed Rawdah, or sitting before the Ka’bah. This will be enough for someone who does not understand Arabic.
If you do understand Arabic you should endeavour to understand the meaning of what you are reading while reading it and thus be focused on Allah.