"singular focus" = ekaggata, ekagga, is a universal skill, not just a buddhist thing.

ekaggata, ekagga is a universal skill, not just a buddhist thing. A common English phrase even exists: "singular focus"

https://www.reddit.com/r/theravada/comments/149c82j/is_this_what_is_meant_by_ekkagata/

lucid24-frankk·9 min. ago

samādhi means undistractible lucidity. It's a universal phenomena, not just a Buddhist thing.

ekaggata and samādhi are often used interachangeably, but they have slightly different (but closely related) meanings.

eka = one

agga = place,

so figuratively "one place" means having "singular focus" (a relatively common English phrase)

ekagga citta, is a mind that has singular focus.

This is a timeless, universal skill, not just for Buddhist meditation.

Anyone who is really good at what they do, worldly or spirtual, you'll find that they have the abilty to tune out distraction, have a singular focus, and stick with it until the job is done well with high quality and full attention and care.

that's samādhi and ekaggata.

as far as chanting "buddho" as a way to develop ekaggata, sure, that's one way to do it but it's not ideal. "singular focus" (ekaggata) can be and ideally should be trained all the time in every activity, every posture, not just crude samatha exercises like chanting mantras.

Related English terms

single minded

Definitions from Oxford Languages

sin·gle-mind·ed

adjective

having or concentrating on only one aim or purpose.
"the single-minded pursuit of profit"

one track mind

Definitions from Oxford Languages

one-track mind

noun

used in reference to a person whose thoughts are preoccupied with one subject or interest.

singular focus

Singular focus is loosely defined as doing one thing at a time.That might seem like a colossal waste of energy in a world where we wear busyness as a badge and treat spinning plates as an Olympic sport. But research continues to show that multitasking isn't as effective as we think.Jan 19, 2023

How do you develop singular focus?

Get comfortable with ignoring things while you focus. Limit your daily to-do list to two or three must-finish projects or tasks. Not only does this help curb your temptation to switch between tasks, it prevents you from feeling overwhelmed by a long to-do list.

whole hearted

One more English term for bhava ekaggata: "whole heartedly"

Oxford Languages
whole·heart·ed
adjective: whole-hearted, wholeheartedly adverb
showing or characterized by complete sincerity and commitment.

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