Mantra for meditation: 5 simple mantras and how to use them
The best mantras for meditation, from Om and So Hum to Om Namah Shivaya, with meaning and a step-by-step way to meditate with a mantra, even as a beginner.
The simplest and most widely used mantra for meditation is Om. If you want a mantra that follows the breath, use So Hum; if you want a devotional one, use Om Namah Shivaya. Pick one, repeat it slowly, silently or aloud, and each time your mind wanders, return to the sound. That return is the meditation.
A good meditation mantra is short, easy to say, and means something to you. Long verses are beautiful for prayer, but in meditation a few syllables are easier to rest in.
Five mantras for meditation
Om
ॐ Om
Om is the primordial sound in the Hindu tradition, the sound that stands for the whole of reality. Chanted aloud it has three parts, A-U-M, followed by silence. It suits beginners and experienced meditators alike, and is chanted for balance and a feeling of deep connection. Listen on Mahakatha.
So Hum
सो हम् So Hum
"I am That." So Hum is traditionally linked with the breath: "So" on the in-breath, "Hum" on the out-breath. Because it rides on breathing you are already doing, it is one of the easiest mantras for silent meditation, chanted for less stress and a balanced mind. Listen on Mahakatha.
Om Namah Shivaya
ॐ नमः शिवाय Om Namah Shivaya
"I bow to Shiva," to the auspicious one, and to the stillness within. The five syllables after Om are the Panchakshara, one of the most loved mantras in India. It is chanted for a calm, steady mind and suits anyone who meditates with devotion. Listen on Mahakatha.
Om Mani Padme Hum
ॐ मणि पद्मे हूं Om Mani Padme Hum
"The jewel in the lotus." The great mantra of compassion in Tibetan Buddhism, associated with Avalokiteshvara. It is chanted for a calmer heart and kindness towards all beings, and suits a gentle, loving-kindness style of meditation. Listen on Mahakatha.
Bhagavad Gita 6.13 (how to sit)
समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः। सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन्।। Samam Kayashirogrivam Dharayannachalam Sthirah, Samprekshya Nasikagram Svam Dishashchanavalokayan
"Holding the body, head and neck straight and still, gaze at the tip of the nose without looking around." Not a mantra to repeat but Krishna's own instruction on posture for meditation. Many people chant it once before sitting, to settle into the body. Listen on Mahakatha.
How to meditate with a mantra
- Sit comfortably with your back straight, on a cushion or a chair. Close your eyes.
- Take three slow breaths. Let the out-breath be longer than the in-breath.
- Begin the mantra aloud for a minute or two, so you can hear it.
- Let it become a whisper, then silent, repeated in the mind at its own pace.
- When you notice your mind has wandered, and it will, return to the mantra without scolding yourself. This happens a hundred times in a session, for everyone.
- Stop after 10 to 20 minutes. Sit in silence for one more minute before opening your eyes.
A mala of 108 beads helps if you like counting: one bead per repetition, one round per session. See how to use a japa mala, or count here:
Morning and early evening are the traditional times, but a regular time matters more than the perfect one. Ten minutes every day does more than an hour once a week.
Choosing your mantra
- You want something simple and universal: Om or So Hum.
- You feel drawn to a deity: that deity's mantra. Om Namah Shivaya for Shiva, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya for Vishnu and Krishna, Om Gan Ganapataye Namah for Ganesha.
- You want to work with the chakras: see chakra mantras.
- You want to meditate for peace and calm: see peace mantras.
In many traditions a personal mantra is given by a teacher. If you have one, use it. If you do not, any of the mantras above is a respectful and safe place to begin.
If you prefer to meditate to sound, Mahakatha Radio plays Om chants and Shiva mantras day and night, free and without ads. For long, quiet Om chanting, see Om meditation music. Mantra meditation supports calm, but it is not a replacement for a doctor or therapist when you need one.
Questions people ask
Which mantra is powerful for meditation?
Om is the mantra most widely used for meditation across Hindu, yogic and Buddhist traditions. So Hum and Om Namah Shivaya are close second choices. The most powerful one is the one you return to every day.
How do I pick a mantra for meditation?
Choose one that is short, that you can say easily, and that means something to you. Try it for a few weeks before switching; a mantra deepens with repetition.
How do I find my own mantra?
Traditionally a teacher gives you a mantra. Without one, start with Om or So Hum, or the mantra of the deity your family worships, and let your practice show you what fits.
How do I activate the 7 chakras with mantras?
Each chakra is traditionally linked to a seed sound: Lam, Vam, Ram, Yam, Ham, Om, and silence or Om at the crown. Chanting them in order, slowly, is a common practice. See our chakra mantras guide.
What are the top 5 powerful mantras?
Om, the Gayatri Mantra, Om Namah Shivaya, the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra and Om Mani Padme Hum are among the most widely chanted. For meditation in particular, the shorter ones are easiest.
Should I chant aloud or silently?
Both are traditional. Beginners often find chanting aloud easier to start, then move to a whisper and finally silent repetition as the mind settles.