Mantra

Mantra -
1. (especially in Hinduism and Buddhism) a word or sound which is believed to possess a special Spiritual Power:
A personal Mantra is sometimes repeated as an aid to Meditation or Prayer.

2. a word, phrase or sound (such as Om) which is often repeated and which sometimes expresses a belief:

Mantras are normally used in meditation... that is for me anyway. It can be a word or a phrase that means something special to you. It can be used for spirituality or for self improvement. Such as if you were going to use it for self improvement... let's say to lose weight.... you might repeat the phrase "I am getting thinner each and everyday". You would say this repeatedly over and over to instill it in your mind. But if you were going to use it for spirituality there are so many great Mantras that can be used to enlighten ones' self. The most well know mantra (you have all heard this sound before) is "Om" which means, the Divine which manifests in all that is. It is the beginning and the end... the Alpha and the Omega. Mantras are thought to be charged with vibration power. Chanting or meditating silently on mantras helps one to attain an altered state of consciousness. In such a state it is believed possible to perceive the true nature of the mind... the unity of mind with mind. The correct pronunciation and intonement of mantras is extremely important for it creates strong vibrations that effect every vibration of everything in the universe.... including the Deities and lower spirits.
Mantras can and are used by some people in the Occult to wreak havoc upon their enemies and to cause harm.

The main key here is while in meditation to repeat the mantra over and over again. Repetition of mantras with attention directed to the source of the sound, completely engages the mind. This is Tapas (penance). The source is not just in the vocal chords alone, but also the idea that sound is in the mind, whose source is self. Thus the practice of mantra repetition is more than a suggestion, a bit of advice or an idea. It is a means of getting in touch with our self.
Faith is that which creates the effect of mantras. Melody, intonation, pronunciation, whether silently or aloud, all are important in the recitation of mantras. Moreover, the beat cycle in which mantras are recited is important, but it changes according to the state of consciousness of the one who is chanting. Increasing the speed of chanting increases the speed of mind, heartbeat and Breathing. The beat cycle of the mantra also affects the emotions.

A fast speed sometimes creates a continuous vibration and when it is done in groups it creates a good effect, because the mind works in synchronization with the beat cycle and has no time to fantasize. Fast chanting of mantras exhausts the mind, heart and breath and relaxation comes after the chanting is over.

Slowing the beat cycle of mantras also creates the same continuous vibration, but it slows down the speed of mind, heart and breath while the chanting is going on. It induces a hypnagogic state, but it is good only when the chanting of mantras is done individually. A medium-speed beat cycle is good for group and individual chanting of mantras. It does not disturb the heartbeat or breathing pattern and makes the mind more awake, alert and conscious.
The place from which the sound emanates influences the tonal quality. Deep tones are produced by the vocal chords in conjunction with the abdominal region, middle tones in conjunction with the chest, heart and throat regions and high pitched tones in conjunction with the upper region of the body. Indian classical music uses all three regions in a gradual order, but the middle region is used most and produces a greater emotional impact on the listeners.

Some of the Mantras should be what is called Vibrated. when Vibrating a name, word or sound you are actually stretching out the word.
For example: "Om"    Vibrate it like this... Ommmmmm. Feel it vibrate throughout your being. You can study my page on Vibrating Sacred Names.

Here are just a few of many many mantras that can be used in meditation:

"Om"
"I am that I am "
"Om Mamni Pudme Hum"
"I Bow to the Light Within"
"I am one with God"
"I am a being of Light and I rid my being of all negativity"
"I am getting thinner each and everyday"
"I am the essence of God himself for we are one in the same""
"We are the universe for we are God"

Now as you can see the list of mantras could go on forever and you can make up your own to say whatever you feel or wish to change about yourself.

I could really go into detail about mantras and write several pages on it but As I always strive to do.... I am trying to simplify it for you to get you started without bogging down your brain with facts upon facts. So please don't write me and say... You left out this or that... bla, bla, bla.
I am not trying to write a book here.

I hope this helps some of you on your path to enlightenment.