I wouldn't say consciousness is such a hard problem. Though getting people to accept that would probably require coding a sentient AI, since the supermajority thinks it's a really hard problem. "How an algorithm feels from inside" is the key post here, maybe. What sort of algorithm thinks it has free will?
I lack a definition of consciousness, any way to measure it (for example, to find that a cat is and a rock isn't) and any understanding of how it arises. I'm struggling to see why you would say it's not a hard problem without having answers to these three problems. (On the other hand, maybe you do? That would be wonderful)
If you are already an atheist that does not believe in ghosts, what can you learn from rationality? I'd love to be wrong about lots of things but my problem is, I think I'm right.
As far as I can tell, none of this reflective thinking has lead to deeper understanding of consciousness. (A subject I wish I wasn't so interested in, because its study seems so futile).
If you feel like it, please tell me about any particular instances where actively working on your own thought processes has lead you to realize you were wrong about something (other than blatantly false things like those I mentioned above) or if the same program lead to any new understanding of consciousness.