There are various levels of consciousness within the non-physical environment in which the soul returns once it leaves its physical body. The experiences of the physical body are imprinted on the soul which the soul then eventually returns to the physical environment to further learn and understand its existence.
So the reason anyone has experiences in this life is due to what was imprinted on the soul in a previous life that has to be understood in order to progress thru the various layers of the non-physical consciousness.
Because this is not understood, the layers of non-physical consciousness which is closest to the physical consciousness is being overpopulated causing a distortion in our environment in regards to our perception of the physical world. Its this layer that directly affects our interaction with each other in the attempt to make corrections to our physical lives which we are not consciously aware of.
Spiritual Side Through Judith L. Harper, 04/11/2014
On 05/09/2014, I received more information from the Spiritual Side regarding consciousness:
Physical consciousness is the physical body – that which is below the neck. Emotional consciousness originates from the brain. So there is a physical and emotional memory.
If short-term memory doesn’t exist, it is because of the disconnect of the physical memory and the emotional energy generated at the same time, another words there was an inability to process the emotional energy which was connected to the physical event.
SoulStates - Universal Spiritual Force 