Well, I went back to the drawing board, said the syllable and drifted into thought. Without apprehension, I would sometimes realize I was thinking and stop, and then another thought and another. It was pretty mellow...until the next time I meditated.
That's when my mind stepped in and began to second-guess the whole process: once I move away from the mantra, should I not go back to it at all? what is the purpose of the mantra then? should I not stop thinking if I realize I am? does that my consciousness of thinking concentration and a problem? You see the process.
And then I had the same issue as Christopher: how is this different than just sitting around, thinking? Why was I able to use the mantra when I began meditating with no thoughts entering my mind and that wonderful, peaceful feeling afterwards? Where did that go? Should I not bother with the mantra at all? So I guess I need some guidance on how to let go on all of this second-guessing.