Ken Wilber

Ken Wilber (born 1949) is an American philosopher and writer known for developing integral theory and for contributions to transpersonal psychology. His work synthesizes psychology, spirituality, and science, and this quote reflects themes of seeking, suffering, and non-attachment present in his writings.

Quotes by Ken Wilber

Quotes: 1

To seek is to suffer. To seek nothing is to suffer nothing. To suffer is to suffer. To suffer nothing is to suffer nothing. — Ken Wilber

The Paradox of Seeking and Suffering in Human Life

Ultimately, Wilber’s statement weaves these threads into a nuanced question: how can we navigate life’s inherent suffering without becoming either consumed by desire or disengaged from the world? The challenge is to balance purposeful action with inner equanimity—striving with detachment. As the Stoic philosopher Epictetus advised, ‘seek not for events to happen as you wish, but wish for events to happen as they do, and your life will flow smoothly.’ Through such balance, we can participate in life’s journey while keeping suffering in perspective. [...]

Created on: 5/10/2025