Buddhism has turned me on to my humanness, and is challenging my humanness so that I can become more human.

I feel a lot more secure about the directions I take, than I might have, had I not practiced Buddhism.

Other highlights? When I started practicing Buddhism 21 years ago. Marrying the woman I married 26 years ago; my wife is quite a woman. The birth of my daughter. Joining Miles Davis' band.

When I discovered Buddhism, I realized that Buddhism agrees with that. Buddhism adds something, too, which is that your life also never begins. It's eternal.

Buddhism opened me up to seeing things from the standpoint of being a human being - looking at the purpose of action and the effects on life.

The cool thing is that jazz is really a wonderful example of the great characteristics of Buddhism and great characteristics of the human spirit. Because in jazz we share, we listen to each other, we respect each other, we are creating in the moment. At our best, we're non-judgmental.