How do you know which mantra suits you the most?

Question

I've been practicing mantra for quite a while now & received empowerments for a few. The main ones that I practice are Guru Rinpoche, White Tara, Vajrasattva 100-syllable. I take care not to go for those which require extensive samaya so that I don't break vows.

I rotate between several mantras, sometimes depending on my mood, sometimes to address a certain life situation. For example, practicing White Tara or Medicine Buddha when I am physically ill.

Generally I feel like they are all effective(?) and I don't know whether I should just pick one to focus on, or just do what I'm doing now and spread my effort out over a few practices. I understand that on an ultimate level, it doesn't really matter because all Buddhas have the same realization, but on a mundane level, how do you know which mantra suits you?

Answer 1

Look at what happens to your mind through chanting them.

I find 'Om mani padme hum' powerful because of the deep yet concise rememberance, discussed here: What is the meaning of 'Om mani padme hung'?

But I found a Hindu mantra in English that I really connect with 'I am not this body, I am not this mind: I am, I am, I am'.

It is more important to really chant, with commitment, to follow the experience, than to pick and choose words though.

Here is a teaching letter from Seung Sahn on mantra practice.