Can a person ever become self-actualized?

Question

According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, human beings strive to become self-actualized. Have you ever known anyone to ever attain this level of actualization?

Answer 1

I may be way off base here but I believe it is entirely possible, from personal experience, I have found that when you are able to stop living with expectations of everything, people, situations, yourself, and you learn to live in the moment at all times, then you become your life, if you know what I mean, another way to say it is that you don't live your life, you ARE your life. Big Difference and so hard to attain, but even fleeting moments of this tend to become larger moments and soon you actuallly realize when you are "in the flow". I hope that I could help!!!

Answer 2

Great question! It is something I have wondered myself, long before I ran across the term "self-actualized".

My personal understanding is that becoming self-actualized is very much within human reach. In fact, anyone who has a solid and honest view of themself and others, cultivates a healthy lifestyle, and strives for continual growth of these things fits the bill.

Also, it seems that Maslow's ascension describes a self-actualized Idealist, using a MBTI term. Continuing with the MBTI perspective, then each major temperament is going to have a different self-actualized frame of reference. Not necessarily better or worse, but definitely with different strengths and weakness to work on balancing out.

It is definitely not a matter of striving for perfection, which leads to the cycle flip flopping between the despised self and the idealized self that Karen Horney describes. Something else to consider is regression, and it is completely likely that someone who has is self-actualized can through neglect, stress, or physical trauma.

Like I said, great question. So, the answer is yes, I know people who have attained self-actualization.

Answer 3

First, you must observe the extent and specification of "Self-Actualization". There are many definitions for it. It is simply this though; it is possible, but is highly rare. For those who do reach such a level, do not seem to last long after their actualization. Another, is that those few; bring with them a message in the form of an event; this event effects the very balance of our world. The results of these events, are either Good, or Bad.

Answer 4

Naw,

Humans are pretty visceral when it comes down to it. We like good food, sex, occassionaly we see a good film or read a good book. Beyond that, the only person ever written about to become self-actualized is Jesus/Budda. The reason that the goal is often unattainable is because it is based on historical myths and cultural folklore interpreted into bad science.

Just my two cents.

Answer 5

A psycologist I saw told me I was self actualized although I am not sure exactly what that meant.