Consciousness can be functionally defined as that which/whom is aware.
The question, "aware of what" is about content of awareness. One can say, "I am consciousness," but it is false to say "I am that of which I am conscious."
It is indeed a deep subject. Mystics see consciousness as one omnipresent awareness... (not to say, God!... which opens The Big Can-O-Worms about religious belief.)
My favorite author on consciousness was Franklin Merell-Wolff. His masterpiece was "The Philosophy of Consciousness Without an Object," but the most accessible intro to his work was an address given by a friend of mine, Thomas McFarlane :
The Heart of Franklin Merrell-Wolff's Philosophy
Great topic.
Michael
