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Don Miguel Ruiz (b. 1952), is a Mexican author and spiritual teacher inspired by the wisdom of the Toltec people. Born into a family of naguals and healers, Ruiz initially rejected their ancestral teachings and pursued medicine instead, becoming a surgeon through the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Later in life, he returned to spiritual teachings and became the author of several best-selling books. The Four Agreements has been a widespread success, especially after being recommended by Oprah Winfrey on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2001. The book has been translated into 52 languages worldwide and was on the New York Times Best Seller list for over a decade.

Ruiz’s books after The Four Agreements (1997) include The Mastery of Love (1999), The Voice of Knowledge (2004), The Fifth Agreement (2010), and The Circle of Fire (2013). He is also the leader of several worldwide spiritual retreats and has received several awards for his work, including the 2023 Latino Spirit Award for “Achievement in Literature” and an honorary doctorate from Universidad Instituto Americano. Revered by many as a wise teacher, Ruiz also has his detractors, who claim that Ruiz is merely posing as a transmitter of Toltec wisdom and is using his celebrity status to make money.

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