We can be aware of the perceptual reality only. What is beyond perceptual reality is distinct from perception. It cannot be known what a thing is in and of itself otherwise we would be the very language and syntax that describes it on every level. The mind is an abstract consisting of language which make up thought (both verbal and non-verbal, which can each be interchangeable). Self-awareness is not located within the physical self, but rather, the physical self is within the consistent and invariant property of the universe. We are linked within the same reality through perception. And the reality that we each perceive, the very perceptual reality itself, is located in a more base and general consistency of reality. Thus we can classify reality into levels of consistency which equates to a commonly shared or objective reality. Self-awareness and consciousness would be what we define as things in and of themselves independent of perception.
