Self-realization is the goal of human life. The prime questions of life are: Who am I? From where have I come? Why have I come? Where will I go?
Am I this body? Am I this mind? Ego/I/Knower experiences three states - Waking, dreaming and deep sleep. But you are the fourth state - Turiya. You have 4 aspects. 3 are false, one alone is real. Turiya experiences all 3 states. Golden Bracelet, necklace and ring have different forms but the reality is gold. After removing all layers of ego (Ahamkara) and coloring of thoughts (Kleshas), one realizes that what is left behind is pure consciousness, which is same in all human beings. Immense joy is experienced when one comes closer to center of consciousness, the Self, the Atman, which is part of Absolute reality. The individual Self and the Absolute are like the wave and the ocean. (Ayam atman brahman)
Bhagavad Gita describes the process of self-transformation. By performing actions skillfully and selflessly, one can develop tranquility within. The aspirant can establish equanimity both in his internal life and in his activities in the external world. Then one can live in this world without being affected by it. Verses 13 through 20 of chapter XII (Bhagavad Gita) describe the following virtues which an aspirant should acquire on the path of self-realization.:
Learn to love and give
No animosity towards anyone
Be kind and merciful
Non-attachment to external objects
No hoarding or greed
Make full effort to purify the ego
Contentment is the highest of all wealth
Expectation should be abandoned
Practice self-control
Develop tranquil and calm mind
The Fourth State - Turiya
"In Mandukya Upanishad, consciousness is considered to have four states. Three of the states are those experienced during waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and the fourth is a state beyond. Th fourth state is called Turiya. Those who have attained the state of equilibrium in the fourth state consider and compare death with the deep sleep state. Suppose someone manages to live for 100 years and sleeps 8 hours every night. When all hours he has slept are calculated, one can see that he has slept for 33 and one third years. So sleep can be compared with death, which is a deep sleep for thousands of hours or days in which one sheds it's external garments - body, breath and conscious mind. After sleep the sleeper wakes up, in the same way, after a long sleep of death, one wakes up and assumes new garments. One who knows this reality doesn't fear death. " - Swami Rama