Imagine that you are in your kitchen, boiling water on the stove. As the water reaches boiling point, you notice steam starting to rise from the pot. At first, the steam appears to be a solid mass, but as it rises and expands, it begins to dissipate and disappear into the air. In this way, the steam is constantly changing and is dependent on various conditions for its existence.
If you were to look closely at the steam, you would recognize that it has no fixed form or identity – it is simply a collection of tiny water droplets that are rapidly moving and changing. In other words, the steam is empty of inherent existence.
This realization can help us to understand the nature of emptiness and its significance in our lives. By recognizing that all phenomena, including ourselves, are empty of inherent existence and are dependent on various conditions, we can start to let go of our attachment to fixed ideas and identities. This can lead to greater understanding, wisdom, and freedom. Just as the steam eventually dissipates and disappears, all phenomena are impermanent and subject to change. Through an understanding of emptiness, we can find a deeper sense of peace and acceptance in the ever-changing nature of reality.