Returning to the topic of higher and lower selves, where an arbitrary division is made between the two. While I'm confident that I get what you're saying, perhaps it would be better if we actually define where the demarcation point is in your mind between these two parts.
I think the best path toward pinpointing where our perceptions diverge, is to
start from the template of the above "ROY" simulation example, but with the 2 caveats:
1. Assume it's multiplayer and that all living humans are vehicles joined with higher selves who are learning about various aspects and lessons of mortal existence.
2. Assume it equally possible whether it be a simulation running on a computer, or an architecture running on consciousness.
(again, I mean this as a starting point, I'm not selling it as solid or conclusive by any means)
It should be noted here that the division made at the start of the discussion was in the context of afterlives where there is an assumed continuity of personhood following the death of the brain-body system, which implies that the two parts in question are 1. The brain-body system, and 2. Something else that defines us as persons that is separate from the brain-body system.
I don't agree with the word "continuity". I would instead say that the higher self retains the experience of being temporarily joined with the vehicle or brain-body system.
We could reduce the exercise to Pac-Man. If for example my higher-self joined with Pac-Man for 1 life. While living as Pac-Man my experience would probably not include much more thought beyond "left, right, front, back, chomp chomp chomp...". And 2 minutes later I die, and (poof) I'm back in my higher form and maybe I learned a little bit about what it's like to for a higher consciousness to hitch a ride on Pac-Man. But you would never ask about "continuity" of Pac-Man, because Pac-Man isn't going anywhere.
In these two divisions there seems to be the notion that the brain-body system is the "lower" which serves as a"vehicle" while that which defines us as persons is something "higher" — typically referred to as the "spirit" or the phenomenon of consciousness.
My belief is that without higher-selves all of humanity (vehicles) may very well be able to run with all the bells and whistles, except for the lack an "Experiencer" who walks away with the experience, and leaves the vehicle behind. And I can make a prediction - a thought experiment - which might connect any remaining dots(if needed) for you in regard to my perspective/view.
Prediction:
If all higher selves(spirits, etc) suddenly and permanently exited the human-realm/universe/temporal-existence, Humanity would continue to exist almost seemlessly(pun intended), and would hastily but steeply-gradually dispense with all introspect, and questioning of "who am I, why am I here, what is divinity?"
Now obviously, this isn't a prediction I can test in any way, rather I meant it as a thought experiment to attempt to seal the deal on the missing demarcation you pointed out.
To recap, this was me describing what I think is the simplest possible system of communication platforms between a higher and lower realm. I have not landed on this example in any permanent way, but I do have strong leanings toward it's direction. And to sump it all up, I'd say that regardless this example seeming like a higher-self fully immersed and precipitating into the human existence - I'm saying exactly the opposite: That the the Higher Self doesn't precipitate any direct effects whatsoever in our human realm, save it would simply be the things that would be lacking with the absence of higher-selves, such as introspect and divinity-seeking mentioned above.
