URS DATE: October 3, 2018
Theresa Bernhardt, died in Seattle on October 3 after 21 years of chronic illness. Theresa was born in Philadelphia,the middle child of our large, Catholic family of 11. According to her sister, Dee, “ Theresa often took unique positions and held beliefs which were puzzling or outright incomprehensible to our parents, and her personal journey took her in directions which were not always understood by the family.”
Theresa was initiated in the Sufi Order in 1986. She was an active member of various Sufi communities, starting in Philadelphia in “The House of Quan Yin”, which at one point had nine women living there together. She also lived in the Swarthmore Sufi Center, in Miami with her first husband, Andrew Esterby for a spell and then after her divorce at the Abode of the Message, and finally in Seattle where she married Joseph Farnik in the early 1990’s.
Theresa had a lovely voice and brought her joyous songs to many Universal Worship services and seminars with Atum O’Kane as well as singing through much of her day. She brought her organizational skills to work in the Sufi Order secretariat from 1987 to the early 1990s. She brought patience and fortitude to dealing with debilitating illness. She brought her loving heart to many friends and her family, especially her two sons, Nur (born 1981) and Isa (born 1998) who characterized her in her formal obituary as, leaving,“everyone who interacted with her inspired, encouraged and more appreciative of spiritual wholeness. Theresa will be remembered for her wit, love of life, dedication to her two sons and grandson, and the light she brought into the lives of those around her.”
Her bright spirit shines on, and her soul is surely singing.
I first met Theresa when I lived at Atum’s Khankah in Swarthmore. She was there being an example to everyone showing us the way. Theresa was always assisting that way as she often did at many silent retreats at the Abode. Her loving compassion was there for all. We love you honey. Have a great journey.
You will be missed by many.
A bright light has diminished.
Bhakti Jamila
Two pieces written by Theresa Bernhardt that were read at her memorial service:
Lifetime
Thoughts stream
A River of Memories
Sunbeams across sea, stars and sky.
A lifetime is a journey
Like a rainbow song
Flowing like Honey
Sticky and sweet.
A fragrant embroidery
Of Spirit and Heart
That brings us home.
Credo
I believe in Love
That is was Love that offered my soul
the privilege of experiencing the human condition
and it was Love that caused me to accept.
I believe life is rife with adversity,
and this is part of the human condition.
Love is my touchstone for navigating
the sea of adversity, and Love has guided me along,
whether or not I was aware.
I believe that the adversity that I encountered
has strengthened me and made me a wiser,
and more compassionate human being,
and it is important not to judge myself or others.
I believe that there are no mistakes or coincidences
Every experience carries a message
Intended to enrich us in some way.
I believe in one God,
The creator of the interdependent web of life,
and that all the parts of this web
live and move and have their being within the being of God.
I believe that we are made of the same Divine stuff
at the core of our being,
that we are called to witness and affirm the Divine Presence
through the quality of our interactions.
I believe that mutual respect, tolerance dignity, and compassion are the signposts on the road
to a natural and meaningful life.