I think that to assume that consciousness resides solely in your own head is wrong. I think there are parts of consciousness that we all share. I don't know how exactly, maybe it is clues from each other, but we all share it.

I don't believe that that stops just because we do. So it is naive to think that "you" are the center or even the seat of consciousness. It was here before we were and it will go on after the thing we call "us" is gone.

We kinda link into it while we are alive. But we are more riders than drivers.

The better question is what is the ontological significance of personality? Self? Is it merely an expression of biology? Does it have a separate reality to itself? Or is personality just modes of behavior?

There can be no beginning nor end to anything, everything is infinite, cyclically manifesting de manifesting as the interference pattern of light progresses through infinity

I don't believe in a soul or an after life even though I read paranormal fiction

I don't believe in souls. Not since I left my family's religion.

I've never found any reason to believe in one in the classical sense. Just like all supernatural claims, I don't give it any serious regard until someone can prove it. Funny enough I was listening to a debate about whether the soul exists or not while I was going about my day, between Matt Dillahunty and some apologist. Wasn't surprising who made the better case...

My personality, my sense of self, is all part of the thinking in my brain, body dies, I am gone. I have witnesses short and long term memory loss and personality changes brought about by body chemistry and have seen them come somewhat good again. I have been in a situation interacting with a person whose brain functions became disassociated (temporary global amnesia" after shock, I was able to obtain information the person themselves couldn't remember. I have also been with people who had neuropsychiatric abnormalities due to encephalopathy and watch their "self' vanish. Showed me so clearly, we are just a function or a lot of functions of our physical brain.

I happen to think the mind proceeds without the body, the body being the physical manifestation of my mind. I could be wrong. But if you've created something you are more apt to honor it and other creatative beings. IMO

I'm just speculating, but maybe the idea of "soul" was cooked up by the same people that invented all the other spiritual stuff for money, power, and other self serving reasons. OR maybe it was originally synonymous with "personality. I'm guessing the whole idea developed over a long time like all else in evolution. How does all this relate to "soul food" or "soul music", or is that something totally different?

That's it after you die. Enjoy this life and have fun. Nursing homes are like prisons. It's a life sentence for some so get out there and do something.

don't be silly . you are dead . like a skunk in the middle of the road

No such thing as a soul. We know this because all of our memories, our likes and dislikes, our experiences, etc. are all brain states that can and have to some degree been mapped during open brain surgery, MRIs and EEGs.
I'm not sure what you mean by, "thought dimensions" as thoughts are likewise just brain states.