There’s a Crack in Everything

“There is a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” — from Leonard Cohen’s Anthem

Dogma can feel solid, unshakeable. It often offers a sense of certainty and security in a world that can feel unpredictable. But as Leonard Cohen so beautifully captures, even the most rigid structures—be they spiritual, societal, or personal—have cracks. And it’s through those cracks that the light of higher consciousness, new understanding, and personal awakening can enter.

We typically think of dogma in terms of religion, but it is much more expansive. Dogma can refer to any fixed belief system—whether it’s rooted in our upbringing, societal norms, or even personal convictions. These rigid systems can provide structure, but they can also limit our growth, keeping us from exploring the vastness of who we truly are.

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What Is Dogma and Why Does It Limit Us?

Dogma often begins with the best of intentions, offering a framework to make sense of our lives and the world around us. In many ways, it can feel like a comforting guide, something solid to rely on when everything else seems uncertain.

But dogma, by its very nature, creates limitations. It holds us within set boundaries, discouraging the exploration of ideas, possibilities, or perspectives that lie outside those lines. Whether rooted in religion, societal beliefs, or personal convictions, dogma can become a prison.

How often do we hold onto beliefs simply because we were taught they are “true,” even if they no longer resonate with our own inner knowing? These belief systems can feel like safe harbors, but they also prevent us from sailing out into the open waters of self-realization and awakening.

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Doubt and Questioning: The Cracks in Belief

And then, the cracks appear.

Cracks often come in the form of doubts, questioning, or even moments of disillusionment. These cracks are not to be feared, but embraced. They are the spaces where something new, something greater, can enter. They are an invitation to open ourselves to a deeper truth, beyond the confines of dogma.

Many of us have experienced these cracks firsthand—those moments when a long-held belief suddenly feels too small, too narrow, for the person we are becoming. The cracks are the whispers of our soul, urging us to look beyond what we’ve always known.

Instead of resisting these cracks, what if we welcomed them as part of our awakening? What if we allowed them to be the opening where light—where consciousness—can enter?

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The Light of Awakening: How Consciousness Expands

So, what is this light that enters through the cracks?

The light is the awakening of Consciousness. It is the moment when we begin to see beyond the rigid structures of our beliefs and open ourselves to a more expansive truth. It’s the awareness that what we once held as unshakable might actually have been a stepping stone to something far greater.

Light is not about destroying the old, but about illuminating it in a new way. When light enters through the cracks, it shines on the parts of ourselves and our beliefs that we had previously hidden or ignored. It allows us to see the outdated patterns, the limiting beliefs, and the old identities that no longer serve our highest good.

Conscious breathing can be a powerful way to invite this light in. In moments of doubt or uncertainty, taking a conscious breath—a deliberate, gentle inhale—creates space for the light to enter. It allows us to pause, to soften, and to see beyond the immediate reaction of fear or resistance.

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Embracing the Cracks: Allowing Light to Enter

The cracks in our beliefs are not to be feared. They are not signs of weakness or failure, but rather the beginning of transformation. When we embrace the cracks, we embrace the opportunity for light to enter, for consciousness to expand, and for our own awakening to unfold.

Breaking through dogma is not about tearing everything down. It’s about allowing the light to illuminate the cracks, showing us where we can grow, evolve, and let go of what no longer serves us.

These cracks are where growth happens, where evolution begins, and where awakening takes root. The more we allow the light to enter, the more we step into the truth of who we are—beyond beliefs, beyond dogma, beyond limitation.

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How Conscious Breathing Helps Us Receive the Light

One simple yet profound tool to allow light in is conscious breathing. Conscious breathing is not about controlling the breath, but about gently being aware of it. In moments where doubt or tension arise—where we feel those cracks widening—conscious breathing helps us soften into them, rather than resist.

When we take that deliberate breath, we create space within ourselves. Space for light to enter, space for new understanding to emerge. It’s through this awareness that we can invite light into the cracks, allowing for the gentle dissolution of old beliefs and the expansion of our consciousness.

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An Invitation to Explore Your Own Beliefs

Where are the cracks in your own belief systems? Where are the places where doubt, discomfort, or questioning have surfaced? Instead of resisting those moments, what if you welcomed them? What if you took a conscious breath and allowed the light of understanding and awareness to enter?

The cracks are where awakening happens. They are the spaces where we can release the old and step into a more expansive truth. It’s through these cracks that we find the light—the light of consciousness, of awakening, and of true self-realization.

So, dear friends, the next time you find yourself facing doubt or questioning the beliefs you’ve always held, take a breath. Just one conscious breath. And allow the light to enter through the cracks.

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