Consciousness was being aware of oneself and made an individual or group able to feel.
Just before the Great Rebellion, the Dalek Emperor had stored his consciousness inside Suz's mind as a safeguard. (AUDIO: Dalek War: Chapter Two)
After the Doctor escaped from the Timewyrm twice, the Timewyrm sent Anthony Rupert Hemmings' consciousness into the Doctor's mind. He took over the part of the Doctor's mind which was home to his third incarnation's personality, creating an idealised Nazi city. He imprisoned the Doctor and Ace when they arrived, but the Doctor and his past self sent a telepathic message to Saul, who worked with Emily Hutchings to draw the Hemmings' onsciousness out of the Doctor's mind and back into his own severed head, killing him. (PROSE: Timewyrm: Revelation)