I am not saying that we are consciousness itself. I am saying that consciousness is the totality of what we call "everything." And as long as we are alive, consciousness determines everything, including the body, thoughts, relationships, events, etc. Ultimately, though, we are that which is beyond consciousness. But discussing this becomes an intellectual idea. The only way to know this is for yourself, because you are the only proof of your own existence as well as what lies beyond existence.

You asked "why would you want to completely dissociate your consciousness from the body?" This leads into an area that needs to be discovered by way of your own enquiry. There is no dissociation from the body. Consciousness is the body already, as it is also the thoughts, movements, phenomena, and all expressions of life. It is the sense of self that is the problem; it is the obstacle to realizing this.

Ultimately, there is no dissociation at all. In fact, there is the opposite, which is complete engagement and recognition of all that is.