ABSTRACT
Doing a Q and A with an audience in Santa Fe I made the mistake of using the word, “compassion,” something I rarely do. Mistake because the word always embarrasses me—it carries with it too much ego-baggage, as in “Look at how saintly and compassionate I am.” Beyond that, I don’t like to talk in public about spirituality. I’ve noticed how spirituality 29tends to divide people rather than unite them. At some faintly conscious level, also, my Jewish upbringing still compels me to respect the Commandment, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.” Talking about spirituality—even a seemingly non-religious concept like compassion—is something like naming God. For vague superstitious reasons it’s best to leave it alone.
