Throughout history, humans have tried to place responsibility for their suffering outside of themselves. Most Societies have long held the assumption that the ruling body needs to change in order for the human condition to change. This method has been tried unsuccessfully by hundreds of generations, each in turn trying to impose their particular form of illumination. Despite these efforts, the human condition remains essentially unchanged -societies based on fear and individuals filled with pain. To further complicate matters, these conditions have become so familiar that it is hard to recognize the pervasive levels of fear and consequential suffering that dominate many people’s lives.
The implications are clear: the world reflects our beliefs to us, it does not create them. Therefore it is not necessary to try to change anyone but ourselves. The truth is we can only change ourselves. The truth is that change can only occur when each of us, the individuals who make up humanity, change. Since we are all fundamentally connected, individual change results in a collective change."
Learn more about the Toltec Teachings from Don Miguel Ruiz
His work is part of the New Age movement that focuses on ancient teachings as a means to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Ruiz is listed as one of the Watkins 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People in 2014.[1] Some have associated Ruiz's work with Carlos Castaneda, author of The Teachings of Don Juan ) -wiki