A pool of fresh water is special. It's special as it's a bit like our
consciousness. If you try hard you may be able to see really little
waves or ripples in the water. They're really slight. The surface of the
water is like the surface of your consciousness. The part that you're
cognizant of.
When it ripples - when it's interacting with the world around you it's
obvious and you'll get ripples. The surface ripples are what you're
commonly aware of.