Where is the compassion? M: Why detached silence amidst the suffering? Where is the compassion? And does compassion not extend to "service"? B: Sometimes "silence," seen as "detached" or otherwise, is (a component of) "service." To paraphrase Pete Seeger, "a good musician is known as much by the notes (s)he doesn't play as for those (s)he plays." It's not a question of whether or not to serve, it's very often one of when and/or how to serve. If the when or how is not clear in the moment, (s)he serves best who serves in watchful silence.