Charcoal is dark and signifies ignorance in the form of darkness. Fire throws light or brightness and signifies knowledge. So long as the fire and the charcoal are separated from each other, the charcoal can only look at the fire by cannot get any of its brightness. However, when the charcoal is put into the fire and brought into contact, it will become bright and will become a part of fire. Therefore, when one comes into contact with the divine form, the ignorance in the body will be removed. If we also do a little fanning, the charcoal will become fire faster. The spiritual discipline constitutes such a fanning. By spiritual discipline, even an ignorant person can become a wise person.
(Baba, The Breath Of Sai, pg 319)
