About The Host

Hi there! I'm Ned, a lifelong resident of Melrose, MA and longtime meditation practitioner.

I came to the practice after studying abroad in China and experiencing powerful moments of peace wandering around Buddhist temples and historical sites. I didn't have the skills to carry it all home with me at the time, but that was alright. I'd figure it out eventually! 

After returning home and completing my senior year of high school, I found my way into a couple Asian Studies Departments, first at Boston University, then later at UMass Boston where I added a Philosophy major as well. My studies were rewarding. I left UMass Boston with a 4.0 GPA and departmental awards from both of my majors, but most importantly I had made a place for myself in an amazing community that still plays a major role in my life today. When I think of beautiful community, I think of my hometown, my university departments, and I think of temples.

While I was at UMass Boston, one of my professors shared a flyer with me for a month-long monastic life program at a Buddhist temple in Korea. I was at the point where I felt that I could comfortably do a week-long retreat so I said, heck, let's do the month.

The program, The Woodenfish Humanistic Buddhist Monastic Life Program, is fully funded by the support of donors. Their offering was an unparalleled gift to receive. Living in the beautiful Woljeongsa Temple of the Korean Jogye Order was all one can ask of life. The temple is located in the middle of a national park, along a beautiful river, and there I was with eighty other people from all around the world, all looking to support each other as best we could.

While I had enjoyed brief moments of deep peace in China, my time at Woljeongsa was the first period of my life where I consistently felt connected to myself. This was only possible because of the support offered by the program's staff, the other participants, and the temple's staff and resident monastics. It was there that the power of community was made clear to me. We slept, ate, sat, stretched, and chanted together. If anyone wasn't where they needed to be, it interrupted everyone's rhythm. Knowing this made showing up easier. It can be hard to show up for yourself every day. It's much easier to show up for yourself and your community. 

Nowhere To Be Tea is my way of showing up for myself and my community. Hosting these tea retreats is where I want to be, so whenever anyone shows up to one or reaches out to schedule one, I feel incredibly grateful.

Drinking tea has been one of my favorite ways to practice for a number of years now. Making the tea takes focus and to enjoy its subtle flavors you must be present. The reward for that focus and presence is great. Loose leaf teas offer a vast range of flavors that are wont to dredge up old memories or to surprise you with a flavor you've never tasted before.

I want to take a brief moment to thank all the people who've supported me in bringing Nowhere To Be Tea to this point. This took the whole village. Without any of you it wouldn't have been possible.

Thank you.

Hope to see you at a retreat,

Ned