Finding the Balance

As seen through the documentary "Koran by Heart," it is extremely clear to see the immense role the Qur'an and Islam play in the life of many of its followers. Many times I have heard Islam being described as not only a religion, but a lifestyle. Even Sells comments that in matters of faith, the Qur'an is able to draw "people out of their Everest preoccupation to matters of ultimate concern." However, I feel that it is important to again leave all avenues of interpretation open when focusing on the Qur'an. In the documentary, it was apparent that many of the contestants had memorized the Qur'an for the sake of memorization, not for understanding. While memorizing the Qur'an in its entirety is an astounding and noteworthy feat, what exactly does it accomplish if the reciter does not even know what they are saying? 
One of the fundamental teaching of the Qur'an is balance, balance between dinn and duniya, or the spiritual and the material. Similarly, I believe a balance between tajwid and an understanding of that tajwid is extremely vital. The best comparison I can think of would be surgery (it's a stretch, but bear with me). Surgery can be extremely complicated, but after watching someone do it many times, one can attempt to recreate the movements. No matter how perfect the imitation is, no one would trust you to perform the surgery unless you actually understood the meaning and reasoning behind each incision, or in the context of recitation, the meaning of the Arabic.