Consciousness is not just an abstraction, requires self replication/evolution and ability to create models of self and environment - both being extraordinary feats.

A perceptive self replicator existing inside a multi-agent environment that affords both cooperation and competition, and who's existence depends on its ability to adapt and act well - this configuration is what creates consciousness in my opinion.

There is no particle or fundamental quality of consciousness, but it is what self replication under limited resources leads to.