Well, let's try and argue what is left when we try to define consciousness as outside the body.
- By definition, it is not a body part
- It is not the brain
- It has no memory, as that is a function of the brain which is controlled by drugs (both natural and manmade)
- Other than through the brain, it has no demonstratable interface with 'reality'
- It is not your emotions, as they are chemical
What's that leave us? Well, I'm not sure. It is 'you', but minus everything that makes 'you' different than 'me'. This really leaves us with three options:
1) We are one 'I'
2) All of our 'I' are the same
3) Consciousness has no meaning without the body. It can be argued that 'metaphysical' events are still a product of the mind.