The distinction between consciousness and objects is not understood in modern consciousness studies. Our tendencies to objectify everything, therefore we do one of one of two mistakes: take some subtle activity of the mind as conscious or say consciousness does not exist. The great philosopher David hume says when i examine myself, the inner self within, looking for my own self, it doesn't say, consciousness, i'm looking for the inner self. I don't find anything.
"The objects of knowledge, viz., sound, touch, etc., which are perceived in the waking state, are different from each other because of their peculiarities; but the consciousness of these, which is different from them, does not differ because of its homogeneity." Inspired by this verse from the book, Pancadasi by Vidyaranya (Ch 1, Verse 3), Swami Sarvapriyananda gives a discourse on direct path of Advaita Vedanta.