^^^the first time I tried a mantra I found it really effective for some reason. Different things work for each person. I was being given a quick lesson in jyoti (sp?) meditation. The professor just said to think of any word you want (it need not be a "divine" name or anything but I just picked Krishna randomly), and say it silently to yourself on the outbreath. Let the mind be fully concentrated on that, and the rest of your experience seems to come into sharper focus around it, at least it worked for me. The most important part is not to have any expectation or do it for any purpose.