by the lazy Buddhist

#ImStaying is a Facebook group that has taken South Africa by storm. With over 891 000 members (and counting) guys, it’s big. It was founded on 7 September 2019 with the core ethos to honour all those who still believe that we as a nation can turn things around. With so many thousands of people posting, everyone who goes on will most likely have a completely different experience but I gotta tell you, my experience of it has been G.L.O.R.I.O.U.S!

Every time I click on the group, which is not half as much as I would like, I read stories of kindness. Of one South African being kind to another. Most of the stories revolve around the real-life trials and tribulations, more like dangers, we face simply living in this beautiful, troubled country. People talk of their car breaking down in a dangerous spot, being mugged or losing something and a good Samaritan helping them out. I have just read of a car guard who stayed behind, after home time and in the rain to return the temporary driver’s license to the lady whose car it had fallen out of. Be still my beaming heart!

But, by far, what has made the most impact on me is the hundreds of people posting about how the group has changed them. I know it has changed me. Simply hearing other people’s experiences is making us kinder and more aware of each other. And oh my word, if that is not Buddhism in a nutshell. Concern and care for others at the core, driving our own transformation to make things better for ourselves and others.

It might not be 1000-armed Chenrezig but it is nearly 892 000 baby South African Bodhisattvas out there being kind to each other. How utterly, incredibly beautiful!

Till next time,
Tania Potter