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Inward
“i closed my eyes to look inward and found a universe waiting to be explored”
From poet, meditator, and speaker Yung Pueblo, comes a collection of poetry and prose that explores the movement from self-love to unconditional love, the power of letting go, and the wisdom that comes when we truly try to know ourselves. It serves as a reminder to the reader that healing, transformation, and freedom are possible.
From poet, meditator, and speaker Yung Pueblo, comes a collection of poetry and prose that explores the movement from self-love to unconditional love, the power of letting go, and the wisdom that comes when we truly try to know ourselves. It serves as a reminder to the reader that healing, transformation, and freedom are possible.
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2017
3552 people are currently reading
23343 people want to read
About the author
Yung Pueblo
40 books2,052 followersDiego Perez is a meditator, writer, and speaker who is widely known on Instagram and various social media networks through his pen name Yung Pueblo. The name yung pueblo means “young people.” it serves to remind him of his Ecuadorian roots, his experiences in activism, and that the collective of humanity is in the midst of important growth. his favorite word, liberation, took on a deeper meaning once he started meditating vipassana. through writing and speaking, he aims to support the healing of the individual, realizing that when we release our personal burdens, we contribute to a global peace.
Contact: diego@yungpueblo.com
Instagram: @yung_pueblo
Contact: diego@yungpueblo.com
Instagram: @yung_pueblo
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,356 reviews
July 31, 2018
Can somebody please explain to me why most of the work which is called contemporary poetry of late feels like a Tumblr account, circa 2009? There seems to be a sudden trend for very short cliched pieces of writing which, upon reflection, actually say very little. Inward by Yung Pueblo was very much one of these. I found what I read of this very repetitive, and to me, it is not poetry. It is similar to so many other modern 'poetry' books, and nothing memorable came from it for me. Despite the fact that it was quite a short book, I decided not to read it all the way through, as I could not see myself enjoying it. It's not quite as cringeworthy as other collections which I've read, but there was very little substance here.
September 14, 2018
1.5
I found this book on Netgalley's poetry shelf and I requested it because it captured me with its description of the content. Probably this book would have been better in the religious sector, because many of the ideas seem to be religious conceptions.
I did not find much poetry in these pages.
Why did not I like it?
I chose this book because I was looking for poetry. I think a poem is a mirror to see what is hidden within us, a picture that shows what we do not know about us or our lives. A “true” poetry reveals reality using words different from those of reality itself, otherwise it would not be poetry. Unfortunately, what I missed in this book is poetry. The music of words, the sound of sighs between one word and another, the expectation of the next verse that reveals the truth.
The poem should be like one of those statues of truth unveiled by time, famous during the Baroque period, like the one made by Bernini and kept at the Galleria Borghese in Rome. Poetry should be revelation of the heart, a discovery of ourselves in the words of another.
Sometimes poetry shows things we do not know, that we do not want to see: it slams them in the face, it screams them at us. It makes us reflect. These poems have told me nothing that I did not already know, they did not show me anything new, they did not excite me. The words chosen are trite and make the phrases commonplace, and therefore the concepts.
They are not poems, they are sad motivational phrases that could be found on the bus.
Sometimes the poems have also an explanation in prose, and I like these parts more than the actual poetry. But nothing can change the fact that the same ideas are repeated and rewritten every few pages.
I'm sorry, this is one of the first books of contemporary poetry I read, and I was greatly disappointed. When I read that someone puts the soul in their writings I would like to see and know that soul.
I was looking for a trip to the heart of another person, not looking for a manual for successful people full of sentences and easy quotes.
*Thanks to Netgalley, I received a free digital copy of this book from them in exchange for an honest review*
I found this book on Netgalley's poetry shelf and I requested it because it captured me with its description of the content. Probably this book would have been better in the religious sector, because many of the ideas seem to be religious conceptions.
I did not find much poetry in these pages.
Why did not I like it?
I chose this book because I was looking for poetry. I think a poem is a mirror to see what is hidden within us, a picture that shows what we do not know about us or our lives. A “true” poetry reveals reality using words different from those of reality itself, otherwise it would not be poetry. Unfortunately, what I missed in this book is poetry. The music of words, the sound of sighs between one word and another, the expectation of the next verse that reveals the truth.
The poem should be like one of those statues of truth unveiled by time, famous during the Baroque period, like the one made by Bernini and kept at the Galleria Borghese in Rome. Poetry should be revelation of the heart, a discovery of ourselves in the words of another.
Sometimes poetry shows things we do not know, that we do not want to see: it slams them in the face, it screams them at us. It makes us reflect. These poems have told me nothing that I did not already know, they did not show me anything new, they did not excite me. The words chosen are trite and make the phrases commonplace, and therefore the concepts.
They are not poems, they are sad motivational phrases that could be found on the bus.
Sometimes the poems have also an explanation in prose, and I like these parts more than the actual poetry. But nothing can change the fact that the same ideas are repeated and rewritten every few pages.
I'm sorry, this is one of the first books of contemporary poetry I read, and I was greatly disappointed. When I read that someone puts the soul in their writings I would like to see and know that soul.
I was looking for a trip to the heart of another person, not looking for a manual for successful people full of sentences and easy quotes.
*Thanks to Netgalley, I received a free digital copy of this book from them in exchange for an honest review*
February 2, 2018
I'm recommending this book to everyone I know, as it is providing me with so much strength and comfort in my darkest moments lately. What a beautiful, stunning collection of short works. It's a quick read in totality, but wonderful to refer back to each night before drifting off to sleep. yung pueblo takes on the role of healer, educator, wise man and motivational speaker. The book is a perfect companion to compliment your Vipassana meditation practice, of which it's very clear the book takes its cues from. Thank you for sharing your gift with us, yung pueblo.
December 26, 2022
I don't mean to undermine the author's experiences or epiphanies, but this book of "poetry" was shallow and repetitive at best.
Rating: 2/5
Rating: 2/5
April 21, 2025
Perhaps consider renaming: ‘All The Epiphanies About Love, Healing, and Growth That You Already Had At Ten Years Old’.
Maybe that sounds overly deprecatory, but this is truly what ran through my head when reading these “poems”. Full disclosure, I did not finish the entire book, as I found myself consistently grasping for substance that was nowhere to be found.
If you find this “inspirational” I fear you have simply not been exposed to the basic experiences and emotions of life. Each poem reads like the type of quote that would be plastered on a neon sign in an elementary classroom next to an image of a person climbing a mountain or running a marathon, or some other symbol of great triumph that has absolutely nothing to do with the quote (possibly very niche but hear me out). That being said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with those quotes, I just don’t think this book itself is intended to target 7-year-olds.
Anyway, I can only blame myself for continuing to test out modern poetry even though I’ve proven to myself numerous times that it is not for me.
Maybe that sounds overly deprecatory, but this is truly what ran through my head when reading these “poems”. Full disclosure, I did not finish the entire book, as I found myself consistently grasping for substance that was nowhere to be found.
If you find this “inspirational” I fear you have simply not been exposed to the basic experiences and emotions of life. Each poem reads like the type of quote that would be plastered on a neon sign in an elementary classroom next to an image of a person climbing a mountain or running a marathon, or some other symbol of great triumph that has absolutely nothing to do with the quote (possibly very niche but hear me out). That being said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with those quotes, I just don’t think this book itself is intended to target 7-year-olds.
Anyway, I can only blame myself for continuing to test out modern poetry even though I’ve proven to myself numerous times that it is not for me.
April 11, 2022
"there is not a single moment when change is not present. the constant of the universe, the motion of impermanence, is observably evident in the world around us and the world within us.
if we examine nature, it is clear that everything is in a constant state of dynamic change. trees are a great example: in cycles they alternate from experiences of growth to experiences of releasing, all the while alive, all the while growing. if we are refusing to grow, then we are moving against the flow of nature; the flow of change is so powerful that resisting it can only cause difficulty.
sometimes growth hurts, but it is the type of pain that is easier to endure because it is helping us come forward as a better version of ourselves."
It is the nature of an anthology to find peaks and furrows inside of it. This is even more so, in my experience, found in poetry. Here, however, I found consistent beauty, understanding, rawness, and an image of myself on every single page.
I can appreciate poetry for its many different elements and do like the understanding to other experiences they can provide, but often find I have to relate to truly adore them. Here, I saw myself both as I am and as I want to be. This was heart-breaking and hopeful in equal proportions and I can see myself returning to it many, many times over.
"as she was swimming in the ocean of wisdom
that dwells in her heart, she understood deeply
that all was a part of her, that no one was
separate from her. she whispered lightly with
newfound peace, “i am everything.” that was
when she realized that her greatest power is,
and always was, her ability to love herself."
if we examine nature, it is clear that everything is in a constant state of dynamic change. trees are a great example: in cycles they alternate from experiences of growth to experiences of releasing, all the while alive, all the while growing. if we are refusing to grow, then we are moving against the flow of nature; the flow of change is so powerful that resisting it can only cause difficulty.
sometimes growth hurts, but it is the type of pain that is easier to endure because it is helping us come forward as a better version of ourselves."
It is the nature of an anthology to find peaks and furrows inside of it. This is even more so, in my experience, found in poetry. Here, however, I found consistent beauty, understanding, rawness, and an image of myself on every single page.
I can appreciate poetry for its many different elements and do like the understanding to other experiences they can provide, but often find I have to relate to truly adore them. Here, I saw myself both as I am and as I want to be. This was heart-breaking and hopeful in equal proportions and I can see myself returning to it many, many times over.
"as she was swimming in the ocean of wisdom
that dwells in her heart, she understood deeply
that all was a part of her, that no one was
separate from her. she whispered lightly with
newfound peace, “i am everything.” that was
when she realized that her greatest power is,
and always was, her ability to love herself."
September 1, 2018
Thank you Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Reading this book feels personal as I look back to the lowest point in my life. All the painful feelings I had, as much as possible I keep them to myself. I endure my anger whenever I can and it's horrible. At one point I wanted to explode but I can't. There was a point I became distant and I struggled expressing my feelings to the closest people in my life. I just want a piece of mind and figure out my problems.
Inward is a self-reflective poetry collection of healing, finding inner peace and letting go. It's divided into five parts and I like the poems distance, union and self-love. The poems are good but I dislike the longer verses / paragraph ones beat around the bush. I prefer short but direct poems. Overall, this is a good collection. However, I just find some of it redundant. Different words but carries the same thought. To end this review, here's my top pick:
Reading this book feels personal as I look back to the lowest point in my life. All the painful feelings I had, as much as possible I keep them to myself. I endure my anger whenever I can and it's horrible. At one point I wanted to explode but I can't. There was a point I became distant and I struggled expressing my feelings to the closest people in my life. I just want a piece of mind and figure out my problems.
Inward is a self-reflective poetry collection of healing, finding inner peace and letting go. It's divided into five parts and I like the poems distance, union and self-love. The poems are good but I dislike the longer verses / paragraph ones beat around the bush. I prefer short but direct poems. Overall, this is a good collection. However, I just find some of it redundant. Different words but carries the same thought. To end this review, here's my top pick:
sometimes we feel like exploding
not because of anything
or to hurt anyone
but simply because we are growing,
releasing,
letting the old parts die,
so that new habits,
new ways of being,
have space to live
September 10, 2021
This entire book is the instagram bio of the girl you knew from college who is in a pyramid scheme
November 28, 2020
My husband gifted this to me, and I am so grateful he did! These short, powerful poems were incredibly thought-provoking and beautiful to me, and they serve as wonderful journal prompts.
February 10, 2019
I listened to this as an audiobook, read by the monotone narrator. I don't believe audiobook is the intended format for this book, but I don't think my rating would change. This is nothing but repetition of self-love and loving everyone. Those are great and necessary concepts, but this book seemed unnecessary
November 21, 2021
this isn’t a bad book. but there were sections of it that made me cringe, and that reminded me of all those black and white still frames of movies with gloomy quotes at the bottom you’d find on tumblr in 2010. also, it’s repetitive. the same four words are used over 100 times.
![Profile Image for Jessi ❤️ H. Vojsk [if villain, why hot?].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1746468325i%2F66224803._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
April 10, 2023
I spent so much time
creating versions of myself
that were far from the truth,
characters i would perform
depending on who was around
creating versions of myself
that were far from the truth,
characters i would perform
depending on who was around
July 15, 2022
So, I admit it. At first, I thought this was going to be a really crummy collection of contemporary healing poetry. No big deal, I read them.
But then, half way through the book, on p150, I read:
your
self-love
is a
medicine
for the earth
which is a concept I've never read in one of these poetry collections before. At this point in the book, Peublo tells a parable about a woman who climbs a mountain. The form of that content is fantastic, and while not all of it is brilliant, it's interesting because of the vehicle: this woman who climbs the mountain.
Everything i love about INWARD lives in the second half of the book, which is also where I think Pueblo's message really takes shape. He builds on that tiny poem about self-love equating to earth-love on p153: "unconditional love can bring balance to our world. the clarity it produces can help us better understand the roots of harm and work to eliminate them so that all can have the external freedom needed to work on their own internal liberation. the greed and reactiveness that cause harm can be replaced with love as the primary motivator and responses of kindness as our principal form of action." Granted, that's a little bit of word salad there. Pueblo isn't elegant. But he's basically advocating for self-love as an alternative to self-interest, as a radical form of environmentalism. It's a bold poetic and political idea and I respect it.
I enjoyed the second half also because Peublo often employs Toaist ideas, such as this little sweetie from p166:
"wanting always interrupts being"
I had to take off a star because, as impressed as I was by the second half of this book, the first half is still weak, and sometimes the prose is gibberish. I don't know if it's because Pueblo's ideas are gibberish or because he's over-writing, but either way, clarity can be an issue. Also, another half star because sometimes, his ideas seem to contradict each other. For example, he writes about letting go of control, attachment, and want, very Taoist and Buddhist ideas, but he also writes about obtaining or achieving personal power, which is so western. These ideas bump heads throughout his writings.
Rating 3.5 stars rounded up
Finished July 2022
Recommended for fans of contemporary healing poetry, contemporary self-love poetry, contemporary Instagram poetry
But then, half way through the book, on p150, I read:
your
self-love
is a
medicine
for the earth
which is a concept I've never read in one of these poetry collections before. At this point in the book, Peublo tells a parable about a woman who climbs a mountain. The form of that content is fantastic, and while not all of it is brilliant, it's interesting because of the vehicle: this woman who climbs the mountain.
Everything i love about INWARD lives in the second half of the book, which is also where I think Pueblo's message really takes shape. He builds on that tiny poem about self-love equating to earth-love on p153: "unconditional love can bring balance to our world. the clarity it produces can help us better understand the roots of harm and work to eliminate them so that all can have the external freedom needed to work on their own internal liberation. the greed and reactiveness that cause harm can be replaced with love as the primary motivator and responses of kindness as our principal form of action." Granted, that's a little bit of word salad there. Pueblo isn't elegant. But he's basically advocating for self-love as an alternative to self-interest, as a radical form of environmentalism. It's a bold poetic and political idea and I respect it.
I enjoyed the second half also because Peublo often employs Toaist ideas, such as this little sweetie from p166:
"wanting always interrupts being"
I had to take off a star because, as impressed as I was by the second half of this book, the first half is still weak, and sometimes the prose is gibberish. I don't know if it's because Pueblo's ideas are gibberish or because he's over-writing, but either way, clarity can be an issue. Also, another half star because sometimes, his ideas seem to contradict each other. For example, he writes about letting go of control, attachment, and want, very Taoist and Buddhist ideas, but he also writes about obtaining or achieving personal power, which is so western. These ideas bump heads throughout his writings.
Rating 3.5 stars rounded up
Finished July 2022
Recommended for fans of contemporary healing poetry, contemporary self-love poetry, contemporary Instagram poetry
January 13, 2018
Its one of those books/poetry that will really resonate with you if you're on the inward journey to self-love, wisdom, and ultimate freedom and peace. one to buy, keep, and return to every so often for nuggets of wisdom
July 2, 2020
Een mooie compilatie van heel wat levenswijsheden.
Mooie, helende woorden.
Mooie, helende woorden.
February 20, 2023
The poetry collection I really needed for my healing process. I feel like I have built too many walls to protect myself that it has become a prison. This collection made me realise this. Definitely the collection for me.
April 9, 2022
Very choppy writing that makes you disinterested, honestly just skimmed through.
December 2, 2020
This book is a balm I didn't know I needed. 2020 has been a catastrophe of a year in so many ways and for so many of us. However it has also been a truly enlightening year filled with forced reflection. It has also caused society as a whole and each of us as individuals to look deeply inward to face ugly truths and systemic issues. This year has created the largest mental health crisis ever, and many people are suffering in silence.
This book is humbly beautiful and warm. Though its teachings are simple, they are powerful and grounding. "Inward" reiterates teachings of mindfulness, presence, gratitude, self-love, attachment, expectations, and various other important topics like ego and the self. I recommend this book to anyone who needs some warmth right now; let the words kindle your heart.
This book is humbly beautiful and warm. Though its teachings are simple, they are powerful and grounding. "Inward" reiterates teachings of mindfulness, presence, gratitude, self-love, attachment, expectations, and various other important topics like ego and the self. I recommend this book to anyone who needs some warmth right now; let the words kindle your heart.
October 15, 2019
I’m reading this book of poems, poem by poem, day by day. When the urge strikes, I flip it open at random, read the poem, and reflect on it. I love reading it this way, so I can truly process each poem whenever I want to. It’s a beautiful book for looking inward and thinking about how to approach life (inwardly and outwardly)!
January 16, 2021
I devoured this book in an interval of approximately 24 hours. Refreshing, inspiring and such an easy read for anyone in the quest of self-love, acceptance and healing.
July 30, 2021
This book has a weird mixture of prose and so-called poetry. However, it is written mostly on self-love and healing, so it was able to keep me busy for a couple of minutes.
August 3, 2021
that was the worst load of notes app poetry i’ve ever read i’m YAKING
May 7, 2022
Part self help and inspiring quotes, part “free your mind by releasing your fears.” All with the feels of early 00s tumblr and late 00s Pinterest.
March 11, 2024
a real sign
of progress
is when we no longer
punish ourselves
for our imperfections
of progress
is when we no longer
punish ourselves
for our imperfections
August 17, 2025
One of the best books I have read. Will be hard to not have it in my top 3 for the year.
July 11, 2020
I enjoyed this collection. It covered a lot of topics that I can relate to and things I am struggling with, and it is a good selection of positive affirmations for people who are struggling with motivation. From the first poem, I knew I would get on well with the collection, but as I continued on through the different sections, all of the themes became slightly repetitive. Yes, you are bound to write many poems about the same topics, I certainly do that, but I feel like this collection’s downfall was that all the poems about the same topic were all consecutive. Breaking them up and sprinkling them through the collection may have worked better, in my opinion. Overall, though, this collection was a good read. The writing and style of Pueblo’s pieces is strong, and the two aspects go hand in hand with one another very smoothly.
March 12, 2020
Young Pueblo (Diego Perez Lacera) words have been healing and transforming for many. When we heal the depths of ourselves collectively we bring peace into the world.
I can see myself picking this up time and time again. Just beautiful.
This is a great companion for those who are on their own personal healing journey / spiritual journey. Much of what is written is aligned with practices and would resonate with those who understand and undertaken them.
Meditation, yoga, the Universe, manifesting, rituals, healing, letting go.
I can see myself picking this up time and time again. Just beautiful.
This is a great companion for those who are on their own personal healing journey / spiritual journey. Much of what is written is aligned with practices and would resonate with those who understand and undertaken them.
Meditation, yoga, the Universe, manifesting, rituals, healing, letting go.
February 15, 2021
The perfect book for your night stand.
April 18, 2024
1.5 ⭐️
I’ll normally try push through until the end of a book to make an informed opinion but I’m sorry for this one I ✨simply could not✨.
By no means do I come close to being a poetry expert but the stanza and tone read as sarcastic / cliche… #loveyourself #livelovelaugh, girl-just-begins-first-yoga-wellness-journey-in-Bali.
I was also confused by the structure of prose + explanations of said poems. Unsure if that’s common practice or just a lil fun something something modern poetry writers now incorporate
I’ll normally try push through until the end of a book to make an informed opinion but I’m sorry for this one I ✨simply could not✨.
By no means do I come close to being a poetry expert but the stanza and tone read as sarcastic / cliche… #loveyourself #livelovelaugh, girl-just-begins-first-yoga-wellness-journey-in-Bali.
I was also confused by the structure of prose + explanations of said poems. Unsure if that’s common practice or just a lil fun something something modern poetry writers now incorporate
December 28, 2025
Et ganske lite utvalg av sider som eg fikk noe ut av, men et godt utvalg fremdeles
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,356 reviews