Where in consciousness is memory?

If the body is just a series of discontinuous sense - ations

(for example we are often only aware of our left knee or our scalp if they hurt or itch, but otherwise its as if they're not there because we don't give our attention to them - which may mean they don't exist when we do not create them by giving them our attention)

and the illusion of a continuous existing entity called a body is only maintained by memory, then where in consciousness does memory exist? Where is it located? Because it seems that memory it is a vital component of creating an illusory sense of a seperate and vulnerable self that exists independently of the all, and that must protect and defend itself, often in the process hurting illusory others...