There are three types of mantrams:
(a) the musical (or bhakti) mantram (for example, "Jai Ram"). The musical intonations in repetition of a word (or two words) create an almost hypnotic effect as in a Gregorian chant or Ravel's Bolero.
(b) the meaningful mantram. One selects a word representing a quality one desires and chants it slowly to absorb its meaning; one meditates on the word and the meaning of the word. Eventually the meaning floods gradually into one and he identifies with it. Example: "I am Being."
(c) the meaningless mantram. A useful technique for intellectuals who wish to surmount the barriers of the intellect is to choose a word without apparent meaning--"Krim" or "Ayin," for example. The word itself becomes a symbol of That which is beyond comprehension. It enables one to go beyond boundaries of the finite intellect to relate to That which is infinite. A good example is "Aum" pronounced "Aah--ooo--mmm." The first letter represents the waking state, the second the dream state, the third deep sleep, with their wide, then narrow, then closed, sounds.
-- Notebooks Category 4: Elementary Meditation > Chapter 6 : Mantrams, Affirmations > # 6
