I have heard Gabor Mate refer to “moral injury” as that which totally goes against our moral principles, but we can do nothing about. He thinks we cannot unsee what we see. For instance, when animal lovers see images of an innocent animal being tortured, and yet, given the nature of video recording, there's nothing that the individual can do at the time to stop it. The memories of such images will continue to traumatize that individual. However, the same individual can decide to fight against animal cruelty in many situations in the future. And,  this is how we have the opportunity to both avoid and heal from these moral injuries. 

So, how do we protect ourselves from these moral injuries? This is where the principles of both physical self-defence, as taught by martial artists and intellectual self-defence found in the techniques of critical thinking, as taught by minds like Noam Chomsky, come into play.

We live in an age of information overload, misinformation, and disinformation. A unique time in history where we can access a boundless amount of information. Unfortunately, this boundless amount of information does not come with an accompanying tool for its discernment. Therefore, we find ourselves in a situation where we are, metaphorically speaking, having “unprotected mental intercourse”. We are engaging in an exchange of “intellectual fluids”, to stay with the metaphor, without adequate safeguards to prevent potential harm. 

So, how can one develop the tools and safeguards necessary to engage in a safe intellectual intercourse and minimize exposure to moral injury?

There are many courses one can take to develop skills such as critical thinking, just as there are many courses to develop a better understanding of morality through ethical practices. However, this can also seem overwhelming without the guidance of an expert who can coach through a method that simplifies and brings these two together to create your own personal moral and spiritual roadmap that will not only help you avoid and heal from moral injuries. But it will also make you a great moral support for those around you who might not have gotten there yet.