Fire and wood

A nice example is given to illustrate the different characteristics of the body and soul.

Fire, which burns and illuminates, is always different from that which is burned for illumination. It may be said, however, that fire is present in an unmanifest form within wood. Similarly, in the conditioned life of ignorance, the spirit soul is present, though unmanifest, within the body. The enlightened condition of the living entity can be compared to the act of arousing fire within wood. Just as fire quickly burns wood to ashes, similarly the spirit soul, when enlightened, burns to ashes the darkness of ignorance. We are conscious of the body; therefore it may be said that the body is illuminated by consciousness, which is the energy, or symptom, of the spirit soul. Identifying the body and soul as one is just as foolish as considering fire and wood to be the same. In both cases, the intimate circumstantial connection between fire and wood or between the soul and the body does not alter the fact that fire is different from wood or that the soul is always different from the body.
Taken from Jaiva Dharma by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur


Interestingly, the spirit soul is often compared to being a spark of the original fire, Krishna. A spark naturally possesses the same qualities as it's source, the roaring fire, all be it in a much reduced proportion. It can therefore burn and give some glow. Similarly, as the soul, we possess the same qualities of eternality, full consciousness and ecstatic bliss as Krishna, as well as many more of his amazing qualities, but just in a proportionate quantity. As long as the spark remains within the fire it will retain it's full manifestation of firey potency. Yet, if the spark leaps out of the fire, becoming disconnected, then it quickly loses it's power to burn and give light. Whilst we are engaged in the fire of service to please Krishna, our original flame, through chanting his names and helping others to also benefit, then we can also fully manifest our divine qualities. However, when the soul turns away from his spiritual reality and becomes engrossed in temporary pursuits, then he becomes like the spark that has separated and fallen into water. It appears that there is no soul or that the spark has become extinguished, even though Bhagavad Gita explains that the soul is eternal and indestructible (click). If though, by great fortune, one comes in contact with the original fire of Krishna, then once again the dormant flame within starts to burn, simultaneously scorching away all negativity and dirt from the heart.

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Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare