Ellen Farmer, Adventures in Ecstasy

I met Ellen Farmer the way kindred spirits often connect – through a shared passion. Having chanced upon an Andrew Harvey interview in the Good Times prior to his first Santa Cruz appearance last February, I was struck by a message so compelling I couldn’t wait to contact the event organizers to learn more. Enter Ellen Farmer.

Since our first meeting, I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Ellen on several events, while learning more about what sacred activism, commitment to mission and peaceful warrior-ship really look like.

With her Week of Ecstasy event fast approaching, I thought it the perfect time to find out what motivates this tour de force and learn more about her vision for Santa Cruz – one filled with passion, fervor and sacred activism no doubt!

EB: What is the inspiration behind your company, Collaborative Ventures?

EF: Collaborative Ventures is an event production company with an activist vision. My whole adult life I’ve been a networker so collaborating with others is a natural extension of my interests. I studied public policy in graduate school and I came away with the understanding that everything is a campaign. Whether it’s legislation, or activism or movement building, it comes down to your basic campaigning skills.

So Collaborative Ventures brings people together through fun events that are thought-provoking and motivating. The Week of Ecstasy is a major collaboration and great example of how this works.

EB: Wonderful! And the events you have planned for the last week of July sound absolutely transformative. Which brings me to wonder, how were you first introduced to Andrew Harvey’s work?

EF: I feel like I was one of the last people to have heard of him… but about a year and a half ago I was listening to The Shift Network which is an amazing internet radio broadcast, and he just blew my mind. I felt like he was so accurate in his message. He very accurately described my reading of the state of the world.

EB: And his life is so colorful – I love his story about interviewing the Dali Lama for Vogue!. What inspired you to reach out to him?

EF: I went to his web site and saw what he was trying to create, this network of sacred activism, so I felt called to be one of the participants. Enough to inspire me to go Chicago (where he’s based) and participate in a week long Sacred Activist training and initiation.

We all took a vow at the end of the class stating our commitment and I decided that mine was to convene and nurture networks of grace. When I made that commitment I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do about it. Then soon after I saw an opportunity to invite him to come to Santa Cruz between his scheduled visits to Northern to Southern California.

I talked to his assistant and suddenly found myself with 6 weeks to plan the events we held in February. His appearances centered around the provocative question “what breaks your heart open”? I wanted people who were spiritual but not very active to gain motivation to get out there and for burnt-out activists to learn some tools for nurturing their spirit.

EB: That sounds so powerful! How were able to pull it off in such a short time?

EF: I called on my network to ask for help and away we went. It’s so important to develop and maintain those relationships so you have that support system when you need it.

EB: And it turned out to be a great success with over 350 people in attendance. Did you come away with any interesting Andrew Harvey stories?

EF: He’s provoking and funny at the same time – he has a wicked sense of humor.

EB: I got that from hearing him speak. He’s certainly got a rich history to draw from. What would you say is the main message behind your mission going forward?

EF: We are powerful beings who need to put our love into action.

EB: Beautifully put. How can Santa Cruz activists support your work or get involved?

EF: Follow your passion. Do something but make sure you’re passionate about it or you’ll burn out. Build coalitions, co-create and collaborate! Learn more about Andrew Harvey’s return to Santa Cruz for a Week of Ecstasy, July 23 to July 27!