The difference between self-actualization and self-realization?

[JohnLeyo]

Before understanding the difference, it is imperative to understand the roots of the two terms. Self actualization as denoted in psychology means man's aspiration to achieve goals and fulfill his potential.

According to wiki.

The term was originally introduced by the organismic theorist Kurt Goldstein for the motive to realize one's full potential. Expressing one's creativity, quest for spiritual enlightenment, pursuit of knowledge, and the desire to give to society are examples of self-actualization. In Goldstein's view, it is the organism's master motive, the only real motive: "the tendency to actualize itself as fully as possible is the basic drive... the drive of self-actualization."[1]Carl Rogers similarly wrote of "the curative force in psychotherapy - man's tendency to actualize himself, to become his potentialities... to express and activate all the capacities of the organism."

Self realization on the other hand is to know oneself. The term can be traced to Advaita Vedanta which means to realize the truth of one's existence.

Now here is the interesting part. I believe the two terms have the same intention per se which is to realize man's potential. However, the former takes world view into account whereas the latter says the real potential does not lie in the "outward" aspect of the world but the "internal" wholeness of the self.

To clarify, western theories on psychology place the world on the same plane as the entity called man. So they believe that man's fullness can be reached only when he expresses and interacts with the outside world. To this end, all psychological theories base their truth and understanding on the existence of the world and man.

Advaita Vedanta on the other hand puts man before the world. In order to understand the "world" you first have to understand the entity for whom the world exists.

Why so? Simply because it is our common experience that our existence is imperative for knowing or confirming a secondary existence. Advaita further states that man's potential is reached only when he turns inward and cognizes the true meaning of this "I".

“Your own Self-Realization is the greatest service you can render the world.” 
― Ramana Maharshi ( 1879 - 1950, Arguably the greatest sage expounding Advaita in modern times)

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