There was a study a few years ago regarding decisions. Turns out the brain made the decision before the conscious mind was aware of it. The mind appeared to rationalize a completely automatic "decision" after the fact.

I recall that study. It prompted me to reconsider the role of consciousness within human experience, leading to a conclusion that consciousness is a reflection of outcome. Again considering simple finger manipulation, decision may precede consciousness of perceived outcome. Declaring any such "decision" as autonomic strikes me as arbitrarily based on subsequent consciousness of resultant experience.

I do not regard consciousness as equivalent to experience. Human experience, in my view includes simultaneous — ie atemporal — sensation, recollection, cognition, anticipation and remembrance of the whole, including the repository available to present recollection. Consciousness is an after-the-fact summation of that experience.

The sthtu affects the wiring of your brain, and therefore how it processes. Different experiences result in different connections being made within the brain, and that happens pretty much all of our lives.

No doubt about it, sthtu (shḬt happening) definitely influences individual evolution. But it doesn't alter the dynamically reflective aspect of experience.

Tom