Renowned Toltec wisdom teacher don Miguel Ruiz Jr. reveals how the tools of awareness, understanding, and unconditional love can free your authentic self. The Toltecs were an ancient civilization that predated the Aztecs. They believed that life as we perceive it is a dream. We each live in our own personal dream, and our collective dreams come together to shape the “Dream of the Planet.” But problems arise when we forget that the dream is just that—a dream, and not a fixed reality.The Mastery of Self takes the Toltec philosophy of the “Dream of the Planet” and the personal dream and explains how we can: Wake up from our illusions Liberate ourselves from the inhibiting stories we all tell ourselves Live as our true, authentic, loving selves   Once released, we can live our authentic lives not only in solitude and meditation but anywhere—at the grocery store, stuck in traffic, and so forth—and in any situation or scenario that might confront us. Each chapter includes rituals, meditations, and other practices to manifest Toltec wisdom in our lives.