I'm not a researcher in the space, just a big fan. That there are levels of consciousness is very well evidenced. Essentially each level is a layer of dynamic awareness. One of those layers is an awareness of self, and self in the world. It's the HOW that's under investigation not so much the "what". https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioral-and-brain-sciences/article/homing-in-on-consciousness-in-the-nervous-system-an-actionbased-synthesis/2483CA8F40A087A0A7AAABD40E0D89B2

People like to muddy the question with philosophy and spirituality.