Consciousness

Lots of us on our Inner Journey look inward and wonder about consciousness - how we have it, and what it's purpose might be?
But few wonder what it actually IS - in itself?
So here's what consciousness is :
Consciousness is the faculty of sentient awareness.
That is the definition of the word consciousness.
So...
Not a thing.
Not a substance.
Just a word.
We humans came up with this word to describe the fact that we are aware of our existence and our surroundings.
A faculty we have.
We have consciousness.
Is a faculty aware of itself?
No, of course not.
Does a faculty have a purpose?
No, of course not.
Perhaps the mind is better focused on investigating 'Who/What has consciousness'!?