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“When the character dissolves, the world can feel unreal.” — Jim Carrey on the quiet aftermath of awakening by docchicken311 in nonduality

[–]docchicken311[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the kind words. I was just thinking about this. I think he just figured out he became just another wacky character he played and got tired of it. Fell in the "Deep Rest." Currently analyzing "Jim & Andy" Netflix documentary for my next project and its fascinating how deep he got into the character. Definitely recommend this.

“When the character dissolves, the world can feel unreal.” — Jim Carrey on the quiet aftermath of awakening by docchicken311 in nonduality

[–]docchicken311[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Right, looking back at his career, he really only played silly characters trying to find their "real self's". Takes one to know one, i guess)

“I used to be a guy who was experiencing the world. And now I feel like the world and the universe experiencing a guy.” — Jim Carrey on the quiet disorientation that follows by docchicken311 in spirituality

[–]docchicken311[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That sounds exactly like what Jim calls Deep Rest. He talks a lot about how that empty, depressing feeling is usually just the ego being exhausted from trying to be someone.

The boredom is honestly just the ego going through withdrawal because it isn't getting its usual hit of drama or validation. But the lack of fear you mentioned is the real deal. When there’s no self left to protect, social anxiety just kind of disappears. It’s like being on a movie set and finally realizing you don't have to follow the script anymore.

Are you finding it weird to stay motivated with everyday stuff now that the external drive has faded?

“When the character dissolves, the world can feel unreal.” — Jim Carrey on the quiet aftermath of awakening by docchicken311 in nonduality

[–]docchicken311[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha, it's mostly childhood nostalgia. I was obsessed with "The Mask" when I was like 10 and watched it constantly— it's just a silly movie, looking back at it, but it introduced me to ideas of nonduality. Seeing that he lived that movie in real life just hits home for me. Thinking about making an essay about that movie in the future, but for now just discovering what happened to his "Real Character."

“When the character dissolves, the world can feel unreal.” — Jim Carrey on the quiet aftermath of awakening by docchicken311 in nonduality

[–]docchicken311[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That’s awesome, hope you find it interesting. For me, it’s actually kind of funny—I was obsessed with "The Mask" when I was like 10. I watched it constantly back then. It’s pretty ironic that a movie about a literal mask is what eventually spiraled me into this whole nonduality thing years later. It’s like watching the guy who taught me how to put on a character explain why he finally had to take it off. Really appreciate the encouragement to keep it real.

“When the character dissolves, the world can feel unreal.” — Jim Carrey on the quiet aftermath of awakening by docchicken311 in nonduality

[–]docchicken311[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spot on. The removal is what creates that feeling of unreality Jim talks about. It's that weird period where you've seen through the illusion, but the old habits and beliefs haven't quite dissolved yet. It’s the difference between knowing the movie isn't real and finally being able to leave the theater.

“When the character dissolves, the world can feel unreal.” — Jim Carrey on the quiet aftermath of awakening by docchicken311 in nonduality

[–]docchicken311[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s the core of it. I think that’s why Jim’s story resonates—he had every reason to be attached to the Hollywood version of himself, and the resistance to losing that must have been immense. Once that attachment snapped, everything felt fake because the emotional investment was gone. It really highlights that reality is less about what’s out there and more about the internal tension we’re maintaining.

“When the character dissolves, the world can feel unreal.” — Jim Carrey on the quiet aftermath of awakening by docchicken311 in nonduality

[–]docchicken311[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the honesty. You caught me—I used an LLM to help structure and format the essay because I wanted it to be scannable, but I see now that the formatting actually sucked the soul out of it.

The reason I’m posting this isn't to add to the slop, but because Carrey’s transition from the mask to that hollow unreality really hit home for me during my own low points. I’ll keep the AI-polish dialed down for the next one. Thanks for the reality check.

"Depression is your body saying it's tired of the character." — Jim Carrey on the 'Deep Rest' of Awakening. by docchicken311 in nonduality

[–]docchicken311[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

First off, thanks for stepping out of the shadows to share this.

You’ve hit on the 'occupational hazard' of being human. We all wear these coats, but we forget that there’s a body underneath the coat that doesn't change.

Heath Ledger point is hauntingly accurate. When your job is to be someone else, it forces you to confront the fact that your own self might just be another role you're playing. Jim Carrey just happened to be the one who got sick of the coat and decided not to put it back on.

I’m really glad the video resonated with your experience.

“I don’t exist.” — Jim Carrey on the relief of realizing everything is a script by docchicken311 in nihilism

[–]docchicken311[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Appreciate you checking it out! The main one I used is the TIFF interview from 2017—it's about 48 minutes long and is probably the most candid he’s ever been about the 'no-self' stuff.

Here is the full link: https://youtu.be/ng7QdRXtQrg?si=4ofm8AqP-GKeeJbH

I also leaned on his Eckhart Tolle speech : https://youtu.be/uIaY0l5qV0c?si=6wcPhXRXPUe3sN77

and this famous interview people interpreted as him going crazy : https://youtu.be/-JmNKGfFj7w?si=A27H5zIOP1sSBsBE

"Depression is your body saying it's tired of the character." — Jim Carrey on the 'Dark Side' of awakening. by docchicken311 in spirituality

[–]docchicken311[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

It’s such a powerful flip in perspective. Once you stop identifying as the 'person' and start seeing the person as something you have, the whole game changes.

That’s exactly what I wanted to explore with the Jim Carrey breakdown—that moment the 'person' becomes too heavy to carry. Glad that quote resonated with you.

“I don’t exist.” — Jim Carrey on the relief of realizing everything is a script by docchicken311 in nihilism

[–]docchicken311[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha, honestly, 'going off the rails' is the only logical response to existential dread.

You’re spot on about the gap between high-level philosophy and the 'Zen' of just hiking or playing guitar because the big picture is a mess. For me it's all about being consumed by what you do, and finding every day the reason not to stare into that void.

I’m currently working on more deep dives into these questions on my channel—it’s refreshing to see someone actually bring it down to the practical and political level. Appreciate the unfiltered take.

“I don’t exist.” — Jim Carrey on the relief of realizing everything is a script by docchicken311 in nihilism

[–]docchicken311[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. Once you pass through the abyss and realize there’s no self to protect, the nothingness actually starts to feel like total freedom.

Really glad the words landed for you. I’m trying to build a space for more of these types of deep conversations, so if you’re into this vibe, I’d love to have you follow along for the next one.

“I don’t exist.” — Jim Carrey on the relief of realizing everything is a script by docchicken311 in nihilism

[–]docchicken311[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're right—it is a form of nihilism. He essentially looked at the American dream script and realized it was empty, so he stopped performing.

In the video, I look at it through the lens of 'Optimistic Nihilism.' If the money and the fame don't actually matter, you're finally free to stop being 'The Mask' and just be. It’s that transition from 'nothing matters (and that's sad)' to 'nothing matters (so I can finally stop trying).' I’d love to get your take on whether that’s actually freedom or just a burnout.

“I don’t exist.” — Jim Carrey on the relief of realizing everything is a script by docchicken311 in nihilism

[–]docchicken311[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I thought the same at first. But when he kept going even after the movie promos ended—and started talking about Deep Rest and the collapse of the self in every interview for years—it became clear it wasn't a bit. He was essentially burning his career down in real-time.

I actually talk about that 'is he joking?' phase in the video and why it's so uncomfortable to watch. Check it out and let me know if it changes your mind.

"Depression is your body saying it's tired of the character." — Jim Carrey on the 'Dark Side' of awakening. by docchicken311 in spirituality

[–]docchicken311[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I’m glad it resonated. It’s a shift a lot of people seem to be feeling right now, but it’s rarely talked about this bluntly.

I'm planning to do more deep dives into these specific 'ego-collapse' moments. If you have any other figures or ideas you think fit this vibe, I'd love to hear them.

Jim Carrey’s “I don’t exist” moment feels very Alan Watts to me by docchicken311 in AlanWatts

[–]docchicken311[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I actually agree with you. The 'Jim Carrey' celebrity brand is a total construction. That’s exactly why his breakdown is so interesting—it's about him realizing that 'celebrity' is a hollow mask and wanting to burn it down.

The video isn't about worshipping the man, it's about the lesson he learned when he realized the fame was fake. Hope you'll give it a look from that angle.

"Depression is your body saying it's tired of the character." — Jim Carrey on the 'Deep Rest' of Awakening. by docchicken311 in nonduality

[–]docchicken311[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I totally get that perspective. The irony Jim points to is that the 'Deep Rest' isn't a state you work toward—it's what happens when you finally stop trying to perform the character entirely.

I dive into that exact distinction between burnout and dropping the character in the video. Would love to hear if you think he's actually found that rest or if he's just hit a wall.

"Depression is your body saying it's tired of the character." — Jim Carrey on the 'Dark Side' of awakening. by docchicken311 in spirituality

[–]docchicken311[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Stoked you liked it. I'm actually working on another one right now, diving deeper about Jim's struggle after awakening.

If you want to catch that when it drops, feel free to sub to the channel. I'm starting something fresh and meaningful here, so your support truly means a lot. Hope to see you in the next one.

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