Why Jim Carrey says getting what you want isn't the answer

Jim Carrey famously manifested 7 million pounds for his acting work using the power of visualisation. Despite reaching this massive goal, he later experienced depression and shared a perspective that many find surprising.

He suggested that everyone should achieve their dreams of wealth and fame just to realise that these things are not the ultimate answer.

The story behind the ten million dollar cheque

At a time when he had no work and no money, Jim Carrey wrote himself a cheque for 10 million dollars (approximately 7 million pounds) for his acting services. He was actively looking for work and used this as a tool for focus.

He eventually got exactly what he wanted. However, he realised later in life-perhaps during his period of depression-that getting what you want was not the answer to his deeper needs.

My experience with the law of attraction

When I was first introduced to the law of attraction and manifesting, I had a similar realisation.
I discovered quite early in my attempts that while you can get what you want, it does not necessarily make you happy.
The specifics of the "how" and "why" involve a much longer discussion, but Jim Carrey covers some of these aspects very well.

You can watch Jim Carrey talk about attracting millions with Oprah here: https://vimeo.com/183991808

In his 2014 commencement address at the MUM graduation, he stated:

I've often said that I wish people could realise all their dreams and wealth and fame so that they could see that it's not where they're going to find their sense of completion.

There is also another common quote attributed to him, though the exact source is harder to verify:

I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.

You can view more of this sentiment here: https://vimeo.com/184005941

So what is the answer, and what is the completion that Jim Carrey refers to?

Firstly, it is important to understand that getting what you want is a desire created mostly by thoughts and emotions.

For example, when he had no work and no money, Jim Carrey likely experienced strong emotions regarding his situation. He then shifted to being more positively thoughtful and emotional about his acting career and the millions he wanted. Eventually, he manifested both.

Understanding the greater reality

What I have learned on my own journey is that our thoughts, emotions, and the physical material world actually make up much less than 0.01% of a greater reality.

Because of this, the desire for something and the act of receiving it is also less than 0.01% of that reality. We often lose awareness of the remaining 99.99% that constitutes the larger part of our existence.

If you would like to explore how to regain awareness of that larger part of reality, click here.

Ingest some truths from Jim Carrey said in jest

Below are several other quotes from Jim Carrey's speech. Even though some are said in a lighthearted way, they contain truths that can help transform your experience of life if you take them in.

Life doesn't happen to you, it happens for you. How do I know this? I don't, but I'm making sound, and that's the important thing. That's what I'm here to do. Sometimes, I think that's one of the only things that are important. Just letting each other know we're here, reminding each other that we are part of a larger self. I used to think Jim Carrey is all that I was...

You didn't think I could be serious did ya'? I don't think you understand who you're dealing with! I have no limits! I cannot be contained because I'm the container. You can't contain the container, man! You can't contain the container! (laughter)

I used to believe that who I was ended at the edge of my skin, that I had been given this little vehicle called a body from which to experience creation, and though I couldn't have asked for a sportier model, (laughter) it was after all a loaner and would have to be returned. Then, I learned that everything outside the vehicle was a part of me, too, and now I drive a convertible. Top down wind in my hair! (laughter)

I am elated and truly, truly, truly excited to be present and fully connected to you at this important moment in your journey. I hope you're ready to open the roof and take it all in?! (audience doesn't react) Okay, four more years then! (laughter).

You can join the game, fight the wars, play with form all you want, but to find real peace, you have to let the armor fall. Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world.

Painting is one of the ways I free myself from concern, a way to stop the world through total mental, spiritual and physical involvement.

But even with that, comes a feeling of divine dissatisfaction. Because ultimately, we're not the avatars we create. We're not the pictures on the film stock. We are the light that shines through it. All else is just smoke and mirrors. Distracting, but not truly compelling.

My soul is not contained within the limits of my body. My body is contained within the limitlessness of my soul - one unified field of nothing dancing for no particular reason, except maybe to comfort and entertain itself. (applause) As that shift happens in you, you won't be feeling the world you'll be felt by it - you will be embraced by it. Now, I'm always at the beginning. I have a reset button called presence and I ride that button constantly.

Once that button is functional in your life, there's no story the mind could create that will be as compelling. The imagination is always manufacturing scenarios - both good and bad - and the ego tries to keep you trapped in the multiplex of the mind. Our eyes are not only viewers, but also projectors that are running a second story over the picture we see in front of us all the time. Fear is writing that script and the working title is, 'I'll never be enough.'

You look at a person like me and say, (kidding) "How could we ever hope to reach those kinds of heights, Jim? How can I make a painting that's too big for any reasonable home? How do you fly so high without a special breathing apparatus?" (laughter)

This is the voice of your ego. If you listen to it, there will always be someone who seems to be doing better than you. No matter what you gain, ego will not let you rest. It will tell you that you cannot stop until you've left an indelible mark on the earth, until you've achieved immortality. How tricky is the ego that it would tempt us with the promise of something we already possess.

You can view Jim Carrey's full commencement speech here.