Self actualization has its roots in psychology, a theory propagated by American psychologist Abraham Harold Maslow. As per Maslow self actualization is realizing our true potential as a human being. Realizing our potential to the fullest, fulfilling all aspirations within makes a man complete was the assumption of Maslow.
This is one side of the story. The true potential of human beings always lay inside. As established in doctrines of spirituality propagated in Bhagavad Gita the manifest physical self was only a means to an end. The human body was manifested by our true inner self to cleanse self of dross impurities within. Our true inner self, consciousness spirit residing in our heart is the real truth of life. Life after life, body after body this spirit keeps manifesting form after form.
Analyze a stage in life of human beings, true travelers of spiritual path when dross impurities within our consciousness reduce to zero. This is the stage when in absence of dross impurities within our consciousness; spirit reaches state of absolute purity. This state of self realization by human beings is termed enlightenment. Realization of self is the cosmic goal of life of our inner self we called soul atman. Reaching state of self realization announces end of cosmic journey.
A pure soul atman need not manifest a body again. Once a self realized soul reaches its fullest potential as a liberated soul atman, there was nothing else to do for the realized soul than gaining moksha salvation forever. Moment a realized soul leaves mortal frame one gains moksha salvation.
Liberation from cycle of birth and death is what self-realization all about. Until a soul atman, the consciousness within reaches state of absolute purity it keeps manifesting form after another. This cycle of birth and death continues unabated until a soul atman reaches 8.4 millionth manifestation. The 8.4 millionth manifestation announces end of cosmic journey for the spirit, consciousness manifesting human body.
Self realization finally announces human beings, the soul atman within reaching its fullest potential forever.
Aspirations of physical body differed with that of spiritual being inside. Our soul atman always desires liberation from cycle of birth and death at the earliest. Whereas prompted by ego human beings desire scaling various heights in the materialistic world. One belonging to financial market wants to become the biggest financial wizard in the world. One in field of engineering desires becoming the best engineer the world has ever seen. People in different fields would covet a Nobel Prize but for a self realized soul reaching end of cosmic life was the only goal of life.
Self realization is also termed enlightenment. Realizing true inner self, enlightenment from within is what spirituality all about.
Any human being desirous of travelling spiritual path successfully to reach stage of self realization must indulge in teachings of Lord Krishna contained in Bhagavad Gita. The 700 shlokas verses contained in Bhagavad Gita sufficed for entire humanity to reach stage of enlightenment.
The original gist of Bhagavad Gita containing 700 shlokas verses in Sanskrit along with English transliteration is available for mere $1 from Gita press, Gorakhpur, India yet, how many people world over indulged in Indian spirituality to reach cosmic end of life?
Only a very ardent seeker like Swami Vivekananda finally succeeds in cleansing dross impurities within. Does it mean one has to become Swami Vivekananda in real life to reach state of self realization yes, spiritual facts say so!