Michael Jordan seems to have rewritten the standards for basketball. He always seems to defy the rule of gravity for a few seconds, to float up to the hoop to deliver an earth shattering slam. Yes, there were those who came before Jordan, who were of near equal status, but Jordan seems to always be one step ahead, always having more tricks up his sleeve, than the next guy. What keeps Jordan ahead, is that he evolves. When he came to the league, Jordan relied on his quick feet and his big ups. He now uses his mind more, and has acquired a devastating jump shot, from any range. Now as Jordan is over the hill, looking about him, getting ready to make his decent into his later years, he's also still looking around, on a different hill, at all those people below him striving to reach his status. What makes Jordan tick? Is he a god, come down to earth, to amuse himself with basketball?

From the beginning, Siddhartha was always seeking. He was always looking for that inner peace, that would bring him to a state of enlightenment. He searched with the Brahmins, reciting psalms and conducting sacrifices. He searched with the Samanas, learning to withstand hunger and pain, to flee from the self. He searched with Kamala, learning the art of love and the art of business, but above all learning all about Samsara. Finally Siddhartha learned not to search any more. He learned to listen and simply to be. Jordan on the other hand, hasn't ceased searching. Through basketball, baseball, golf, gambling, and back to basketball, he is still searching.

In his younger years, and the years nearing his enlightenment, Siddhartha had an ego. When he was a Brahmin, Siddhartha was always a step ahead of the others. He knew all the psalms, and even took part in conversation with the wise men. As a Samana, he learned how to fast, to wait, and to think, very quickly. With Kamala and Kamaswami, he became very successful, very fast. Siddhartha was always good at what he did, like Jordan. And Siddharta knew that he was good at these things. He knew that he was better than all the rest, like Jordan. The difference is, that Siddhartha learned that he was not above anybody. He was not greater than the ordinary man. He learned to have no ego. With Jordan on the other hand, he has not learned to have no ego. He knows he's better, and it shows. Jordan toys with his opponents. If you watch replays of his games, he always shines in the fourth quarter. He toys with his opponents, as if he knows that he is unstoppable, but wants to keep people wondering, only until the fourth quarter when he shows everybody just how good he really is.

Time is a large difference between the two. In Siddhartha's case, time has made the fruit sweeter. Time doesn't matter to Siddhartha. He has learned through experience deep wisdom. For all Siddhartha cares, time can dwindle on. It will have no effect on him. In Jordan's case, time is a very large factor. Jordan's career hangs in the hands of time. As Jordan gets older, he will get slower. His greatness will begin to dwindle. Time has already taken a toll on Jordan. When he came to the league he was a hacker. He was quick with his hands and feet, and mostly relied on his speed, and big ups to take it to the net. Now, Jordan has to rely on a killer jump shot. He is still great, but as time dwindles on, and age creeps up on him, Jordan will not be able to perform the feats that have made him great.

In view of Siddharta compared to Jordan, both had things in common. They are both great men, who have achieved a great deal in their lives. Both have been exalted to that platform above all the rest, that is so hard to attain. The main difference between the two, is that Siddhartha has attained that platform, and will be there for ever. Jordan has attained that platform, but will have to step down for those who gradually become faster that Jordan, a better shot than Jordan. Ultimately Jordan will have to step down.