Are I-laden chants/mantras unhelpful?

I-laden Mantras that seek to 'influence' or 'implant' thoughts, like - i am peaceful - i am silent - i am loving especially in the face of unskillful thought, are supposed to purify the mind, but are adding thoughts and a sense of self. Nibbana is defined in part as the absence of unskillful thought, but Anatta is also part of it. Also, there is much advice not to fight thoughts. If we create an I-ness around one side of the aisle (love), and thoughts arise that stand in it's shadow (hate), have we not set ourselves up for suffering, or an identity crisis? Are such mantras and chanting therefore unhelpful, or at least, promoting an infight, perhaps even an I-ness? How does buddhism reconcile this?