I really think self-centered here is referring to the sphere of control and not a mind set of importance.

It's more akin to ego in the popular sense, not Freudian sense.

It is a bit of magical thinking to believe that we are responsible for all the bad things that happen around us.

We do not and can not control the world.

Kind of like thinking "I can control the waves at the beach".

it's a very human trait to but ourselves and our thoughts at the center. It's also a very human trait I think to believe that everything emanates from us.

It's also quite wrong.

Things are already in the saddle and, all to often, ride mankind - to paraphrase a famous quote.