For others experiencing this issue, this is the idea that Matt Davis posted in the thread above:
I created UI only fields “OpenBrackets” (default to {{ ) and “CloseBrackets” (default to }} ). Then in your list have Opportunity Name = {{{OpenBrackets}}}Name{{{CloseBrackets}}}.
When it processes merge syntax, it should process
{{{OpenBrackets}}}Name{{{CloseBrackets}}} => {{Name}}
