What Comes After Addiction Recovery with Amir Hamaoui, Creator of the Welldim Journey Deck

Sarah Thibault talks with Amir Hamaoui as he  shares his journey through recovery and how he answered the inevitable question after any major life change, "What now?" As part of his recovery process, he created a new wellness-focused oracle deck called Welldim Journey that helps people along their path to transcendence and inner peace. Plus they talk about Amir's insane adventures in kite surfing in the San Francisco Bay.

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What has your journey been like with the woo world?

A while ago, during a trip to Egypt, my family and I had the opportunity to visit the mausoleum of my great-grandmother. There, we experienced an undeniable sense of something transcendent.

As we took photographs outside, everything seemed normal. However, upon entering the mausoleum, our camera inexplicably stopped working. Only when we stepped back outside did it begin functioning properly again. This led us to a simple conclusion: we were not meant to take photos inside.

Such experiences highlight phenomena beyond what we can perceive or understand through our ordinary senses.

Has creating the deck made you more interested in exploring different ways to connect with the world beyond the veil?

Absolutely. The deck is so multifaceted, particularly in the spiritual dimension, which can mean various things to different people. A card that stands out to me is the 'Power Animal.' I interpret this as forming a deeper bond with the animals around us. Personally, I've always felt a strong attraction to dolphins.

Why do you think that is?

I spent much of my childhood at the beach, frequently seeing dolphins. They're majestic creatures that reveal themselves selectively. This incredible incident happened when I was swimming in the ocean, and a dolphin swam right up to me. It was so close I could hear it breathing. The encounter was startling yet calming, a strange mix of emotions. That day, I realized my deep connection with this species, and it has stayed with me ever since.

So, was there anything about addiction and recovery that particularly surprised you?

Yes, the realization that I'm not alone. Discovering that others face similar challenges was truly transformational. It's a powerful moment when you recognize you're not isolated in your struggle.

Another crucial insight is acknowledging the power of choice. Dealing with any addiction involves choices, although it often doesn't feel that way. It seems compulsive, beyond control. But eventually, you come to see that there's a decision to be made at some point, which you have to navigate.

Addiction usually follows a pattern: there's a trigger, followed by a reaction. An external stimulus prompts a specific behavior, and this isn't limited to just drugs or alcohol; it can be any harmful habit.

In the grip of addiction, the trigger and the action can appear inseparable, as if they're just fingertips touching. There seems to be no space between them.

However, the recovery journey involves understanding that there's a lot happening between those two steps – in your brain, your mindset, and your surroundings.

Recovery is about creating distance between the trigger and the behavior, learning to understand what happens in that space, and how to respond differently.

When considering your deck as a tool for addressing the complex issue of recovery, how did you begin its creation?

Realizing the power of daily action was a key starting point for me. Having a daily focus is incredibly important. I combined the idea of a long-term project with the practice of doing something every day.

I needed to become a better person and live well. Plenty of resources are available, so there's no need to start from scratch. I decided to research what it means to live well.

From there, I broke down the concept into a series of topics that needed exploration. Initially, it wasn't about creating a deck but understanding and living out these principles. Creating the deck was intertwined with the journey of applying and embodying these concepts in my daily life.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please remember that there are numerous resources available to help. I strongly encourage anyone facing these challenges to acknowledge our shared humanity and the complexities of life. Recognize that change is possible, even in the midst of suffering, and that support is out there.

It's almost as if you're dealing with a pie chart representing the various facets of being human. How did you categorize these aspects?

While researching wellness, I came across the concept of the 'dimensions of wellness.' When you look into this, you'll find different interpretations, with some models having seven, eight, or even six dimensions, each stemming from various origins. I was drawn to the idea of distilling wellness into core elements requiring focus.

The Welldim Journey incorporates eight dimensions of wellness: life, body, emotion, environment, spirit, mind, social, and purpose. Each of these plays a vital role in the holistic well-being of an individual.

Today, I drew the 'Transcendence' card, which falls under the 'Self' category in the deck.

Transcendence is quite a profound topic! Many people seldom contemplate what it means to transcend beyond oneself. In the context of our deck, the 'Self' category is where the eight core dimensions intersect. This involves facets like self-acceptance, self-trust, self-awareness, self-perception, self-actualization, and transcendence.

You might experience moments of transcendence rather than consistently achieving it. Every time I draw this card, it prompts more reflection than anything else. Upon drawing it, it's unlikely to think, 'I'm transcendent today!'.

A particular memory comes to mind whenever I see this card. Years ago, during my deep involvement in yoga and a period of sobriety, I attended a class led by Richard Rosen, an expert in yoga history, philosophy, and Pranayama. His class blended poses, asanas, and extensive breathing exercises. During the final Shavasana, where you lie still, I experienced an incredible moment. It's hard to describe, but I felt a sense of oneness more potent than anything I'd felt through substance use. It was a profound peace.

That experience stayed with me for the rest of the day and even now, upon reflection. My most significant realization was understanding that achieving such a state doesn't require consuming something. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Substance use actually closes the channels necessary for such connections. True transcendence requires hard work and allowing your body to connect with the universe in a way it can't when influenced by substances.

Now what?

Turning back to your deck, how do you envision it supporting someone in their journey?

The deck is designed for anyone delving into self-exploration, understanding how they interact and perceive the world. While this may sound broad, it's intentionally so. My journey in creating it was rooted in my own recovery, but it's not exclusively meant for individuals in recovery or those who have battled addiction.

Typically, the journey of personal growth involves avoiding problematic behaviors, which is undoubtedly crucial, and actively moving towards something positive. It's not enough to merely run away from negative aspects; it's about seeking, or perhaps re-discovering, a purpose that resonates from within. That's where this deck comes into play. It prompts the question, 'Now what?' It guides individuals in finding direction and purpose beyond just avoidance of negative behaviors.

The 'Now what?' question is indeed the most challenging part, largely because it confronts the uncertain and uncontrolled aspects of the future.

It's an incredibly difficult question, especially for those who have undergone trauma or major life challenges – whether that's active warfare, enduring an abusive relationship, or overcoming addiction. You're often left with a void when you emerge from such intense experiences. This experience, once a significant part of your life, is suddenly gone, leaving an empty space.

The critical question then becomes: how do I fill this space? Some individuals have a clear direction and drive; they know what they want to do next. Others might struggle more, facing a higher risk of reverting to old patterns.

As you embark on the Welldim Journey and draw a card each day for around 100 days, you'll find that certain themes will resonate with you more than others, and it's unpredictable which will have the greatest impact. As you engage with each card, some may offer validation, reinforcing practices or beliefs you already have. This validation often leads to gratitude, a vital component of happiness and a fulfilling life.

However, you might also encounter cards that highlight areas needing attention. Simply drawing and contemplating the card forces you to think about these aspects. The impact could be immediate or subtly influence your subconscious, gradually altering your behavior over time.

The Welldim Journey is designed to offer a process for individuals to observe, reflect, think, feel, and act in ways that enhance their daily living. Its purpose is to guide people towards living well every day.

I'd like to conclude by discussing your passion for windsurfing, which seems integral to your connection to dolphin energy. I recall a story you once shared about a friend's remarkable journey from the East Bay to Alcatraz.

I've personally undertaken multiple kitesurfing trips from Berkeley, going past Alcatraz all the way to the underside of the Golden Gate Bridge and back. Each of these journeys is a unique experience in itself. I’ve even encountered dolphins along the way.

The specific incident you might recall is when I saw the Blue Angels. I was kiting past Alcatraz and was still determining exactly when they would appear. It was a chaotic scene – boats everywhere, the Coast Guard patrolling, restricted areas to avoid, not to mention the wild tides and winds. It's a crazy spot. Then, suddenly, the planes soared right over my head. Being right there in the midst of it all was an incredible experience.