Plerosis (πλήρωσις) is a Greek word meaning “fullness” or “fulfilling”. Kenosis (κένωσις) is Greek word meaning “emptiness” or “emptying”. Christian theology speaks of the kenosis or self-emptying of God which makes way for the fullness of creation. Similarly, it is only through the emptying of the self that one becomes open to the fullness of God. The self-emptying or giving of oneself to the other is the condition for perichoresis- the mutual indwelling of one another, which is our true or highest nature, the expression of the fullness of our life together.
Buddhists also speak of emptiness (śūnyatā) and the interdependence and mutual conditioning of all phenomena, known as dependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda). All that arises is by nature empty and arises only in connection to everything else. The Heart Sutra proclaims “form is emptiness and the very emptiness is form.” What does that mean? Plerosis = Kenosis. Whatever we are, we only are that in interdependent relation to one another.
And to nature. For me, plerosis is also about the fullness of our time and especially the fullness of our planet. We live as though we are not connected, as though we do not depend upon the living systems and other beings of the natural world. Our hubris in denying our connection is sowing the seeds of planetary destruction. We as human beings are consuming the earth for our own supposed gain at a scale and rate so severe that we are altering and destroying the very systems that are the condition of our own lives.
This is a critical moment in the human story. Much of what appears on this blog addresses that in one way or another. But this is also my story. Plerosis is also about the fullness of my time. I love this life and this planet. I’m taking a good look around, soaking up as much as I can. And I’m writing about it. If you want to know more out about me, start clicking. I’m all over these pages. I hope you find something worth your while.
Feel free to contact me! I’d love to start a conversation.