Yes, Steve. I agree with that. I'm glad you mentioned mantra. I would like to defer to a Sri Ramana Maharshi quote again on this topic:
When the japa becomes continuous, all other thoughts cease and one is in ones real nature, which is japa or dhyana. We turn our mind outwards on things of the world and are therefore not aware of our real nature being always japa. When by conscious effort of japa or dhyana, as we call it, we prevent our mind from thinking of other things, then what remains is our real nature, which is japa.
Peace
