For episode 157 of the Metta hour, Sharon speaks with meditator, writer, and speaker, Yung Pueblo – aka Diego Perez.
Widely known by his pen name Yung Pueblo, Diego’s practice of Vipassana meditation has given him a deeper understanding of liberation and inspires him to reach hundreds of thousands of people online every month through his writing. He is the author of several books, including Clarity & Connection, which was just released in April 2021, instantly becoming a New York Times bestseller.
This conversation begins with Diego reflecting on the release of his new book, Clarity & Connection, and some insight into his writing process for the book. They speak about the unique moment that much of the world is in now, starting to transition from the pandemic lockdown and the new definition of resilience that is being asked of us. They also share about the role that grief has played in the past year and how to take the wisdom of grief forward into daily life. They go on to discuss how meditation practice can serve as a basis for healthy relating to others, as well as ourselves. Diego shares about the role that trauma can have in our relationships and how that affects the way we shape our lives. They also discuss some of the nuances of relating to those we do not share the same morals with and cultivating a greater capacity for extending our love beyond those who are similar to us. Diego asks Sharon her perspective on the concepts of healing versus liberation in the context of the Buddhist traditions. The conversation closes with Diego leading a reflection on reconnecting to the bigger picture of your path as it unfolds in your life.
Learn more about Yung Pueblo at yungpueblo.com
Clarity & Connection
Welcoming author, speaker, and meditator, Yung Pueblo (Diego Perez), back to the Metta Hour, Sharon invites him to touch on key themes from his new book, Clarity & Connection, in relation to our current state of relearning our way into the world coming out of the pandemic. Building from his first work, Inward, Clarity & Connection focuses on what happens in our lives, relationships, and connections once we begin to make noticeable inner-change.
“It’s so important, especially if you had a really introspective and transformative pandemic period, make sure that you maintain all of the techniques and skills that you’ve picked up, and you don’t lose them when you go back out into the wilds of community and open-space.” – Yung Pueblo (Diego Perez)
Rewire your brain for clarity, calm, joy, and connection, learning to rebuild when you fall apart, on Ep. 118 of Metta Hour
Resilience & Healing (10:33)
Exploring how trauma, hurt, and strong emotions leave imprints in our subconscious mind that will affect our present and future behavior, Sharon and Yung Pueblo elucidate the nuances of true self and mindful awareness in unbinding attachment to reoccurring behavior patterns. Connecting healing and resilience, Yung Pueblo and Sharon highlight the unbridled freedom beneath our habitual patterns of self.
“It’s better to focus on turning your attention to unbind those patterns and that weight you’re carrying in a very reoccurring manner. Once you release that, you get to be whoever you want to be, now.” – Yung Pueblo (Diego Perez)
Learn how to overcome trauma by rewriting habitual behavior patterns in the brain, on Ep. 151 of Mindrolling
Healing & Liberation, Commitment & Growth (41:58)
Sharon and Yung Pueblo discuss how the mind becomes like a microscope when we become deeply immersed in our healing and liberation work. Now, acutely aware of our own conditioning and ups-and-downs, the mind can seem rough, and it may feel like no progress is being made. To offset this, Yung Pueblo prescribes taking an intentional step back to note how much you’ve truly changed. From this place of inspired noticing and commitment to growth, one can continue blossoming.
“If you’re committed to your growth, make sure you occasionally take a big intentional step back to look at the bigger picture. Take notice of where you were and how you were when you started this work, and where you are now and how you’ve changed. Let that difference inspire you to continue doing that work so you can keep making those leaps forward for yourself in the future and continue blossoming.” – Yung Pueblo (Diego Perez)
For more Sharon and Yung Pueblo discussing Goenka & vipassana, art & activism, tune into Ep. 132 of the Metta Hour
