I've seen these before on other websites, but I'm still not entirely sure what they mean. Also, in your opinion, do these mantras make meditation better? Do you feel more enlightened?
You can look them up to see what they mean. Om mani padme hum means, "Through dependence on the practice, which is an indivisible union of method and wisdom, I can transform my impure thoughts and actions into the pure thoughts and actions of a Buddha." Om namah shivaya just means, "I bow to Shiva". I've read that the mantra does no good without knowing what it means. For me, it is mostly a way to remind myself to stop thinking about stuff and get centered. It works very well for that purpose. There is also a cummulative effect that is probably harder to pinpoint accurately, but would probably be about the same as meditation.
Shodashi mantras are mantras of perfection of Divine Mother Mahalakshmi as Eros. Perhaps the only stream of mantras for those who seek to live the pleasure path and still go to nirvana. Shodashi mantras are of sixteen syllables and exist in Dao, Buddhist, and Hindu tantras. Look to the Divine Mother as ones own nature and refall in love with yourself.
So hum! Om Mani Padme Hum! Om Shanti Shanti om! ANd then I have one I learned at a meditation retreat for any who have no preference as far as diety goes. Inhale Love and exhale Peace. I love this one because thats all I am after anyway!
Mantras help meditation by giving you a single point of focus. One method (and it's by no means the only method, or even the best method) believes that chanting the mantra is what allows you to become aware of of whatever else is going on in your brain, e.g. like when you get distracted and the mantra stops. So in short, mantras do help. It doesn't usually matter what your mantra is, although it's preferable that it is something in a foriegn language so you do not fixate upon its meaning. I guess that's why "Om" is so popular I Sit For My Soul!
The book "Tools for Tantra" by Harish Johari has some excellent stuff on the use of Mantras.As does Andrey Lappas level 1 teacher training dvd. There is no doubt that they are indeed potent tools if used corectly,The Aghoris know how to use them for many situations esp healing and protection.However they do recommend that you dont tell people your mantra as they can be used to steal your Shakti from you. kind of like someone raiding your karmic bank account.
I do Maha Shodashi go to this site if you want to learn more about meditation ----> http://meditationsecrets.org
