You know, face painting in non-Western cultures is a sign of collectivism, is a sign of one representing the community, it's not unique at all.

In 1993, I retired from the Art Ensemble of Chicago to devote myself full time to Buddhist studies and to the practice of Aikido.

It took me a long time to reach the decision to retire, actually, from the Art Ensemble.

It took me a long time to reach the decision to retire, actually, from the Art Ensemble. But it seemed more important to me to share the vitality of Aikido and the vitality of Zen training with people, even though it would be a smaller number of people, it seemed to give them something that could last and improve their lives.

I've been fortunate in that I've been forced to move from zone to zone.

Well, dojo is a traditional Japanese word for training hall.

I've been informed by both sides, jazz, western music, Asian music, African music, all sides, because I've been interested in the sound of the universe, and that sound is without limit.