Lighter: Let Go of the Past, Connect with the Present, and Expand the Future

I love Yunb Pueblo style of writing. This book is a great book on healing. He always has a great perspective!

Tutto perfetto

I think Yung Pueblo may turn out to be the Ram Dass or Pema Chodron of his generation. I hope so! I’m awfully glad he decided to write this one, it’s quite meaty, and describes the path to personal growth and improving meditation practice about as simply and elegantly as possible. And without a lot of woowoo language, and no magical, new age thinking required. I’m appreciating the small bits of autobiographical info also. I’m in my 60s, have wrestled with CPTSD for decades, and this kind of work is not new for me, but I sure wish I’d had this 15 years ago, when I wasn’t finding Pema Chodron very accessible. This is accessible! (to be clear I later found Chodron useful, but it took awhile, and there were things I had to overlook) It happens that I’m at many of the same growth places as Diego, and almost every single piece of this book rings true to me. It’s been a joy using it as a springboard for my journaling practice. Deep personal works asks me to let go of ego, even so, this work is helping me appreciate and be grateful for how much I’ve grown. Perez is a gift. So much gratitude!

I am going through very similar circumstances as “Yung Pueblo” but different circumstances. Almost everything I have read in his emails and have read in “Lighter” has thus far hit the mark. BULLSEYE
Some days the emails are bang on to what I am experiencing or am working through. I often wonder if it is guidance or reassurance when I need it the most.

I found some great inspirational insight in this book (my first by him) but some of his points I found myself shaking my head at, like having compassion for others and being vulnerable with others will get you the same in return. No, it can often get you used and harmed. Similarly, I find the whole ‘you get what you give’ notion doesn’t work like that for women especially. The world is more advantageous and reciprocal for men. The author is a man and many men write this way, so if he does good, it’s often met with more good. Whereas women are often expected to be compassionate/caring and carry the emotional labor for others all while being taken for granted. We do not get the same return on our emotional investments.
He’s a great writer no doubt, and I enjoyed a lot of the book, except for a privileged male point of view or I kept saying to myself… this would work in an ideal world. Sounds good in theory.

Just wrapped up reading Lighter by Yung Pueblo (a pen name for Diego Perez). What I love about Yung Pueblo having bought and devoured his first two collections of poetry and prose on the same themes–he’s got this way of using easy-to-grasp language to discuss deep ideas and concepts. He likens our desires and aversions to stones damming up a river, trapping us in a loop of stress, controlling tendencies, and constant pleasure hunting. His writing and metaphors are poetic but without using language that can be verbose or alienating (something I probably could learn from).

His main point is about really looking at our own minds, without judgment. He suggests that when we give ourselves the space to observe without prejudice, that’s things start to shift and true healing takes place. It’s like that blocked-up river finally gets to flow freely again, washing us over with love, wisdom, and a sense of transformation. What I particularly like about his work is that he emphasizes that the individual tools we use on our healing journey will be dependent on what works for us individually. Not kinda one size fits all approach that I’ve found in other books on the same topic.

This is a book for those that are willing to devle inward and reflect on their own relationship with the parts of their life that are causing suffering. I especially love the reflection questions in each section.

That said, for those who’ve been through a few rounds in the personal development arena, this might feel like familiar territory. His advice feels somewhat therapist-like, with a dash of Eastern philosophy. That’s not a bad thing – especially if you’re just starting your journey of personal growth. But for those well-versed in this area looking for something fresh, you might need to keep searching.

Despite his not being new territory for me, I still very much enjoyed his writing and approach, especially his emphasis on how focusing on our individual healing creates ripples outward that can change the world.

I already have his first two books, but this one is my favorite so far if that’s even possible. I like that it actually reads like a book. I have barely cracked it, yet I have gone back into Amazon and twice purchased again the book for two separate people and I’ve had them delivered to their direct addresses as a surprise gift. I love Yung Pueblo‘s insight about the ability to transform the world by beginning with self transformation. He’s the most beautiful writer of our time in my opinion. His words are elegant yet simple for the heart to understand, and he really shines a light on how the world is perfectly positioned for love and healing versus hatred and destruction. I soak up every ounce of his positivity and love. Please keep writing Diego. 🙏🏼🤗❤️