Repairing the Soul: How We Recover From Moral Injury

Repairing the Soul: How We Recover From Moral Injury

Imagine being faced with choices that tear at the very fabric of your moral beliefs. In this episode of 'Spirit of Recovery', Rev. Dan Beckett and Rev. Michelle Vargas sit down with Rita Nakashima Brock, Ph.D., and retired army chaplain Col. Herman Keizer to explore the concept of moral injury and its profound impact on war veterans.

Moral injury occurs when individuals are forced to make gut-wrenching decisions under extreme conditions, witness acts that clash with their moral values, or act in ways that deeply challenge their conscience. This episode dives into the journey of reclaiming one's sense of goodness and self-worth, a process often referred to as 'soul repair'.

Brock and Keizer, co-directors of the Soul Repair Center at Brite Divinity School, share their insights on how spiritual communities play a crucial role in this healing journey. They discuss the significance of penance in AA, the therapeutic use of Psalms, and how veterans find solace and purpose through social activism. The conversation also highlights the importance of deep, open dialogues about the realities of war.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of moral recovery and the transformative power of spiritual support.