Imagine that you are holding an hourglass and watching the sand flow from the upper chamber to the lower one. At first glance, you might think of the hourglass and the flow of sand as solid, permanent objects with clear identities. However, if you were to examine the hourglass more closely, you would realize that it is not a static, permanent object. The hourglass is dependent on various factors for its function, including the force of gravity and the design of the structure itself.
As the sand flows through the hourglass, you might also begin to recognize the impermanence of the sand, which is constantly shifting and changing as it moves. If you were to examine the sand more closely, you would see that each grain is made up of smaller particles, molecules, and atoms.
Through this example of a sifting hourglass, we can start to understand the concept of emptiness. We can recognize that all phenomena, including the hourglass and the sand, are devoid of inherent existence and are dependent on various factors for their existence. By seeing the impermanence and interdependence of all things, we can start to let go of our attachment to fixed identities and ideas. This can lead to greater clarity, compassion, and wisdom in our lives.