If you ever find yourself fortunate enough to cross paths with a Buddhist monk, there is a traditional way to offer a greeting. You place your palms together in front of your chest—a gesture known as the Anjali Mudra—and offer a slight bow. It is a sign of respect, a recognition of the shared spirit between two people, and above all, it is silent.
I recently found myself reflecting on that silence while in North Carolina for the Auctioneers Association of North Carolina (AANC) convention.
As auctioneers, our professional world is often defined by noise. At Double A Auction & Realty, we are experts in the "chant," the rapid-fire rhythm of bid-calling, and the high-energy atmosphere required to move assets and engage a crowd. By trade, we are people who are paid to be heard.
However, one evening near the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the atmosphere shifted completely. Flanked by police cars with flickering lights, a long line of monks made their way down the street. I didn't have the opportunity to meet them, but watching them from a distance was a powerful experience.
It was an interestingly calm and quiet scene. There were no sandals clicking on the pavement; these monks wore sturdy walking shoes, prepared for the immense physical journey they had undertaken to show support for peace. There was no shouting or grandstanding—just a profound, heavy silence as they moved forward.
What struck me just as much was the reaction of the public. There was a large group of people lining the way, standing still and watching them walk by. It wasn't a parade or a protest where people followed along; it was a moment of collective witnessing. The onlookers were as quiet as the monks themselves.
It got me thinking about how we choose to move through our own lives and our businesses.
In our industry, there is constant pressure to "loudly" promote every win and broadcast every good deed. But I’ve always found myself more aligned with the approach I saw that night. I prefer to support my community and my clients by quietly doing what I do, rather than making a spectacle of it.
There is a unique integrity in the quiet path. Whether it’s handling a sensitive estate for a family or contributing to a local cause, the goal shouldn't be the recognition—it should be the result. The monks weren't looking for an audience; they were focused on the intention behind every step.
That night was a reminder that you don't have to be the loudest person in the room to have an impact. Often, the most meaningful work is done when we stop shouting, put our heads down, and simply walk our path with a bit of quiet peace.
Can’t make it to our auction?
Download our mobile bidding app to your smartphone, and bid from wherever you need to be. Works for both Apple and Android.
