There Is a Crack in Everything: Letting the Light In

Leonard Cohen’s Anthem of Awakening

“There is a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” For me, Leonard Cohen’s words from Anthem feel like an old friend whispering a gentle truth we’ve always known but sometimes forget. They remind us that imperfections, doubts, and challenges aren’t mistakes. They’re the way light—awareness, understanding, and awakening—finds its way into our lives.

Beliefs, whether they’re spiritual, societal, or personal, can sometimes feel like solid, unshakable walls. But over time, cracks start to form. Maybe it’s a moment of doubt or a question you can’t ignore. Instead of resisting these cracks, what if we welcomed them? What if we saw them as invitations to grow and evolve?

There is a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in. – Leonard Cohen

The Power of Cracks: Breaking Through Dogma

Dogma can feel comforting, like a sturdy structure in a chaotic world. It offers certainty—or at least the illusion of it. But here’s the thing: dogma also boxes us in. It keeps us from exploring the vast, limitless potential of who we truly are.

Those cracks? They’re not failures. They’re opportunities. When you start questioning a long-held belief or feel disillusioned, it’s like light streaming through a small opening, showing you a whole new perspective. Cohen’s Anthem beautifully captures this idea. The light doesn’t destroy; it illuminates. It helps us see what’s ready to shift and transform.

As Cohen sang in Anthem, “Ring the bells that still can ring, forget your perfect offering.” These lines remind us that even in imperfection, there’s beauty. The cracks and the light they let in are what give life its depth and meaning.

The same is true in the world around us. Think about the cracks we’re seeing in global systems today. Whether it’s the unraveling of long-standing political alliances, the pressure on healthcare systems during a pandemic, or the growing divide between the rich and the poor, these fractures can feel overwhelming. But what if we saw them as openings for something new? What if they’re the places where light—awareness and change—can seep through?

A Master—someone who has come to truly know themselves—doesn’t hide their cracks. They see them as part of the beautiful dance between being human and divine.

Embracing Imperfection: The Beauty of the Cracks

Think about the cracks in your life. Maybe it’s a mistake you made, a heartbreak you endured, or a moment you felt completely lost. What if those cracks weren’t flaws but gifts? What if they were the places where light, and the wisdom it brings, could shine through?

Cohen’s words invite us to stop trying to fix ourselves. Instead, they ask us to embrace our humanity, imperfections and all. A Master—someone who has come to truly know themselves—doesn’t hide their cracks. They see them as part of the beautiful dance between being human and divine.

This isn’t just about individual lives, though. Look at the larger picture. In conflicts like the war in Ukraine, cracks are revealed in humanity’s systems of governance and peacekeeping. And yet, within those cracks, we see resilience, courage, and hope—the light of something greater trying to emerge. As Cohen expressed in You Want It Darker, “If you are the dealer, I’m out of the game. If you are the healer, it means I’m broken and lame.” These words reflect the rawness of being human and the surrender to something greater, a light beyond the cracks because we aren’t “broken and lame.”

The Light of Awakening: Consciousness Expanding

So, what is this light that finds its way through the cracks? It’s the awakening of consciousness. It’s that moment of clarity when you realize that the beliefs you clung to were never meant to confine you but to guide you to something greater.

Light isn’t just a metaphor for understanding. It’s the felt sense of something shifting within you, the spark of hope when despair feels overwhelming, and the clarity that comes after a storm of confusion. Light shows up in small ways: a sudden insight during a difficult conversation, a stranger’s kindness in a moment of need, or the quiet strength that emerges when you face your fears.

The Power of Conscious Breathing

Conscious breathing is a simple yet profound way to invite this light in. It isn’t about controlling your breath but about gently becoming aware of it. This is not a shallow chest breath, but a deep, grounding breath that fills your diaphragm and belly. It’s the kind of breath that feels like it reaches your very core, creating a calm and steady space within you.

When doubt or tension arises, taking a slow, deliberate breath creates space within you. Imagine breathing as an invitation for light to enter. Each deep inhale opens you to awareness, and each exhale allows you to release resistance. This practice creates a pause—a sacred moment where something greater than the mind can emerge. In these spaces, clarity and peace often find their way in.

Conscious breathing can also be a companion during difficult times. It reminds us to return to the present, even when the mind wants to spiral into fear or overthinking. This simple act helps us step back and see the cracks not as something to fear but as openings for light and growth.

Globally, we see this play out in movements for justice and equality. Cracks in outdated systems—whether they’re about racial injustice, gender inequality, or climate change—create space for something new. The light that enters through these cracks illuminates paths forward, helping us envision a world where humanity lives in greater harmony with itself and the Earth.

Light isn’t just a metaphor for understanding. It’s the felt sense of something shifting within you, the spark of hope when despair feels overwhelming, and the clarity that comes after a storm of confusion.

Cohen’s Legacy: Trusting the Cracks

Cohen’s Anthem isn’t just a song; it’s a guide for navigating life’s messiness. It reminds us that the cracks—the mistakes, heartbreaks, and moments of vulnerability—aren’t barriers. They’re openings. They show us what no longer serves us and make room for the light we’ve been seeking.

Through his music, Cohen gently reminds us that we don’t need to fix ourselves to be whole. The light doesn’t change who we are; it reveals the beauty that’s always been there, just waiting to be seen. His words resonate with anyone exploring life’s deeper mysteries, blending the mystical with the practical, the transcendent with the everyday.

And isn’t that what we’re all doing now, on some level? The cracks in our world may feel frightening, but they also remind us of what’s possible. They’re invitations to let go of old systems and beliefs and collaborate to create something new.

An Invitation: Welcoming the Cracks

Take a moment to reflect. Where are the cracks in your own belief systems? Where have doubt or discomfort bubbled to the surface? Instead of brushing those feelings aside, what if you leaned into them? What if you took a conscious breath and let the light of understanding and awareness enter?

As Cohen sang in Suzanne, “There are heroes in the seaweed, there are children in the morning. They are leaning out for love, and they will lean that way forever.” These lines remind us of the eternal hope that resides within us. Light, in its many forms, is always waiting—patiently—for us to notice it. When we embrace the cracks, we open ourselves to this light, letting it guide us toward something richer, deeper, and more beautiful than we ever imagined.

So, the next time you feel broken or imperfect, think of Leonard Cohen’s words: “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” Take a good, deep breath. Just one. Let the light in through the cracks, and let it guide you to the truth of who you are.

Lyrics of Anthem by Leonard Cohen

The birds they sang 
At the break of day 
Start again 
I heard them say 
Don’t dwell on what 
Has passed away 
Or what is yet to be. 
Ah the wars they will 
Be fought again 
The holy dove 
She will be caught again 
Bought and sold 
And bought again 
The dove is never free. 

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in. 

We asked for signs 
The signs were sent: 
The birth betrayed 
The marriage spent 
Yeah the widowhood 
Of every government
Signs for all to see. 

I can run no more 
With that lawless crowd 
While the killers in high places 
Say their prayers out loud. 
But they’ve summoned, they’ve summoned up 
A thundercloud 
They’re gonna hear from me. 

Ring ring ring ring ring 

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in 

You can add up the parts 
But you won’t have the sum 
You can strike up the march, 
There is no drum 
Every heart, every heart 
To love will come 
But like a refugee. 

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack, a crack in everything 
That’s how the light gets in. 

Ring the bells that still can ring 
Forget your perfect offering 
There is a crack, a crack in everything 
That’s how the light gets in. 
That’s how the light gets in. 
That’s how the light gets in.

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