I've done a significant amount of work with mantras. In Vajrayana Buddhism they are considered to be like phone numbers which open a psychic connection to a celestial being. Each is supposed to be a sound which is uniquely attuned to its corresponding being and holographically embodies their energy.
I think this is true. Each mantra has its own flavor, and I know that after practice. These aren't just words to occupy your brain; they have other profound effects on the chakras. I think there is even something in Law of One where Ra said certain combinations of words channel higher-density energies for use here, so someone might be able to pull up that citation to add credence to what I'm saying.
My recommendation would be to check out some pictures of Buddhist deities and see if you feel a connection or resonance with one of them. Then look up their mantra and go with it, or PM me if you can't find it and I'll tell you.
Some deities are:
Shakyamuni, Padmasambhava, Tsongkhapa, Milarepa (male ascended masters).
Yeshe Tsogyal (female ascended master).
Green Tara, White Tara, Red Tara, Sarasvati (female-aspected celestials).
Chenrezig, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Amitabha, Medicine Buddha (male-aspected celestials).
There are many, many more. Buddhism has an enormous pantheon. Look these beings up on Google Images and just see what, if anything, clicks for you.
Some deities and their mantras are considered secret. Pretty much every lama will tell you they're dangerous to use, or at least just ineffective, if you're not initiated. I think this is elitist, and I have a strong connection with Vajrayogini, one of the secret deities, without a formal initiation. I know her mantra and I get a good vibration from it when I use it. I also know what it feels like to contact her mind to some degree. We get along great. So I think personally it's the personal connection to the deity that matters when choosing a mantra or mantras to use, and not what some lama says.
(EDIT: The initiations given by Vajrayana lamas are real and efficacious psychic rituals that give one an energetic connection to the Buddha of the initiation. They aren't just for show. They are probably necessary if you want to do certain activities related to the deity with reasonable hope of success. The elitist element comes in when lamas deny that people might, on their own, generate a heart-connection with a deity (or incarnate with one) that can be used to draw in the deity's blessings and compassionate presence. If you feel a heart connection to a deity whose practice is supposed to be secret, a lama would be elitist to tell you not to try to contact them and instead reach out to a more public one with whom you are not as strongly connected. I personally think they would also be elitist to tell you not to use their mantra or see some other secret material related to the deity, such as mandalas or hidden scriptures.
In other words, nobody owns spirit guides, but some spirit guides have special connection rituals that make them far more powerful to the person with the connection. And these connections are, in fact, transmitted through a lineage which you're either in, or not. Regardless, our guides are our guides, and why should we love our guides any less because we are not "officially" connected?)
I think another concern about the more secretive mantras, rituals and deities is that they're geared to blast your energy system hard and fast with some serious light. There are all these preliminary practices in traditional Buddhism to loosen you up before you take on that energy. But they are known to cause instability in some people. Just be aware of what you might be getting into if you stray off into secret territory. Follow what your heart tells you about which mantras are good to use, but also just be aware that a lot of knowledgeable people share these concerns. And if it really overworks your system, don't push yourself. Chill out and maybe pick another mantra.
Again, I can tell you these mantras work, and they work in different ways. They all promote love and wisdom but they all have a particular strength in addition to that. You might want to check out mandalas, too, which are visual representations that also carry the vibration of a deity.
I can't emphasize enough that mantras aren't just meaningless phrases. They have a hidden psychic impact that is very real and spiritually effective.
For Padmasambhava's mantra, which I like a lot, check out this page: http://www.rinpoche.com/gurumantra.html Basically this guy ascended in a light body but continually visits the Earth sphere to reveal treasure texts in people's dreams, or hidden in strange treasure chests people come across. Bottom line, he's around and he helps people out.
Chenrezig's mantra is the classic OM MANI PEME HUNG (Padme, not Peme, if you want to pronounce it in Sanskrit instead of Tibetan).
That mantra is so popular that the vibrations of all the spiritual aspirants who have used it to further their own compassion are almost certainly painted all over it. You'll gain the benefit of their aspirations *and* Chenrezig's energy if you use it.
Anyway. Take my word for it - these mantras are strong and aren't just nonsense words.
I think this is true. Each mantra has its own flavor, and I know that after practice. These aren't just words to occupy your brain; they have other profound effects on the chakras. I think there is even something in Law of One where Ra said certain combinations of words channel higher-density energies for use here, so someone might be able to pull up that citation to add credence to what I'm saying.
My recommendation would be to check out some pictures of Buddhist deities and see if you feel a connection or resonance with one of them. Then look up their mantra and go with it, or PM me if you can't find it and I'll tell you.
Some deities are:
Shakyamuni, Padmasambhava, Tsongkhapa, Milarepa (male ascended masters).
Yeshe Tsogyal (female ascended master).
Green Tara, White Tara, Red Tara, Sarasvati (female-aspected celestials).
Chenrezig, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Amitabha, Medicine Buddha (male-aspected celestials).
There are many, many more. Buddhism has an enormous pantheon. Look these beings up on Google Images and just see what, if anything, clicks for you.
Some deities and their mantras are considered secret. Pretty much every lama will tell you they're dangerous to use, or at least just ineffective, if you're not initiated. I think this is elitist, and I have a strong connection with Vajrayogini, one of the secret deities, without a formal initiation. I know her mantra and I get a good vibration from it when I use it. I also know what it feels like to contact her mind to some degree. We get along great. So I think personally it's the personal connection to the deity that matters when choosing a mantra or mantras to use, and not what some lama says.
(EDIT: The initiations given by Vajrayana lamas are real and efficacious psychic rituals that give one an energetic connection to the Buddha of the initiation. They aren't just for show. They are probably necessary if you want to do certain activities related to the deity with reasonable hope of success. The elitist element comes in when lamas deny that people might, on their own, generate a heart-connection with a deity (or incarnate with one) that can be used to draw in the deity's blessings and compassionate presence. If you feel a heart connection to a deity whose practice is supposed to be secret, a lama would be elitist to tell you not to try to contact them and instead reach out to a more public one with whom you are not as strongly connected. I personally think they would also be elitist to tell you not to use their mantra or see some other secret material related to the deity, such as mandalas or hidden scriptures.
In other words, nobody owns spirit guides, but some spirit guides have special connection rituals that make them far more powerful to the person with the connection. And these connections are, in fact, transmitted through a lineage which you're either in, or not. Regardless, our guides are our guides, and why should we love our guides any less because we are not "officially" connected?)
I think another concern about the more secretive mantras, rituals and deities is that they're geared to blast your energy system hard and fast with some serious light. There are all these preliminary practices in traditional Buddhism to loosen you up before you take on that energy. But they are known to cause instability in some people. Just be aware of what you might be getting into if you stray off into secret territory. Follow what your heart tells you about which mantras are good to use, but also just be aware that a lot of knowledgeable people share these concerns. And if it really overworks your system, don't push yourself. Chill out and maybe pick another mantra.
Again, I can tell you these mantras work, and they work in different ways. They all promote love and wisdom but they all have a particular strength in addition to that. You might want to check out mandalas, too, which are visual representations that also carry the vibration of a deity.
I can't emphasize enough that mantras aren't just meaningless phrases. They have a hidden psychic impact that is very real and spiritually effective.
For Padmasambhava's mantra, which I like a lot, check out this page: http://www.rinpoche.com/gurumantra.html Basically this guy ascended in a light body but continually visits the Earth sphere to reveal treasure texts in people's dreams, or hidden in strange treasure chests people come across. Bottom line, he's around and he helps people out.
Chenrezig's mantra is the classic OM MANI PEME HUNG (Padme, not Peme, if you want to pronounce it in Sanskrit instead of Tibetan).
That mantra is so popular that the vibrations of all the spiritual aspirants who have used it to further their own compassion are almost certainly painted all over it. You'll gain the benefit of their aspirations *and* Chenrezig's energy if you use it.
Anyway. Take my word for it - these mantras are strong and aren't just nonsense words.