“How is consciousness related to the physical universe?”
~~ consciousness and the physical universe are on two different levels. The first is reality, the other dream.
One could say they are virtually related. Like your relationship with the pink flying elephant in your dreams.
Although in the dream, we share the pink elephant herd, in fact, we are not dream characters. We are not really pink elephant herders 😉
How are you related to Santa Claus?
You are only related to santa Claus as the 16 year old child hoping that Santa remembers that you were a good kid and remembers to bring you the gift of your choice.
Consciousness is only related to consciousness by its very being/awareness.