Guest Post: The Delusional Abbess of Satire by Gabriel Constans

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Denise Alicea

This blog was created by Denise in September 2008 to blog about writing, book reviews, and technology. Slowly, but surely this blog expanded to what it has become now, a central for book reviews of all kinds interviews, contests, and of course promotional venue for authors, etc

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The Delusional Abbess of Satire
by Gabriel Constans
Back in the seventies (of the 20th century), I came across a book that really opened my eyes and turned me around. It was called Zen Flesh, Zen Bones. This little gem was edited by Paul Reps and had a collection of parables, koans (unanswerable questions), and stories, from famous zen masters in Japan. Zen is one Japanese form of Buddhism. The editor had arranged the stories to alternate between events, koans, teachings and tales. The teachers in the stories were all deceased.
While sitting in mediation earlier this year, several thoughts drifted by and then smacked me in the face. The thoughts, or questions, were, Why don’t I write an updated version of this book, but make it something that would attract a wider audience? And, Why not use the same format, but have it be make believe? Thus, the present version, Zen Master Tova Tarantino Toshiba: The Illustrious and Delusional Abbess of Satire.
This fictional short-story collection challenges our perceptions and illusions about religious masters, spiritual teachers, gurus, charlatans and holy men and women of all persuasions, while simultaneously tickling our funny bone and exercising the muscles our faces rely on for laughter. Here is what some famous, infamous, real and surreal, individuals have to say about Zen Master Tova Tarantino Toshiba.

“Enlightenment or laughs? With Gabriel Constans’ book you don’t have to choose. Zen masters usually have a sense of humor, or need one. Gabriel’s got it, and he gives us a world of illusions to laugh about.”
– Bob Fenster, author of Duh: The Stupid History of the Human Race

“This is a blessed book that can be read during the rapture or while burning in hell.”
– Rev. Paat Robertson

“World leaders and politicians could learn a thing or two from the teachings of Master Tova Tarantino Toshiba. She understood and transformed the inspiring, Yes. No. Maybe, into Yes, we can, long before its use in politics.”
– President Ohlama

“Zen Master Tova Tarantiono Toshiba is a splendid collection of wit, women and wine. It reminds me of a night on the town with Mohammad Ali in drag.”
– Lady GaGaGa

“There are no teachings that are outside of you, except the ones inside this book. Unless, of course, you’ve eaten this book.”

– Bob Tzu, guru, avatar, wisdumb teacher at duhism.com

“An incredible onslaught of insight and universal truth – like Yoda on estrogen.”
– George Lucus

“An endearing and soul searching work that reveals hidden treasures of this infamous master and hysterically questionable abbess. My brother loves it.”
– Llama KanChew, Sister of the Dalai Lama

“Gabriel Constans’ divine book about the humble Abbess can be used as a book of prayer, inspiration or before communing with the poor or the filthy rich.”
– Pope Fransis, Bishop of Romen

“For those who are old enough to remember, the original Golden Girls sitcom was based on the real life teachings of that zany grand lady of Zen, Master Tova Tarantino Toshiba.”

– Bettie Whyte, Actress and Comedienne
Available at Fountain Blue Publishing and Amazon.

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