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James A. Moore

Goodreads Author

Website

https://opti-mysticarts.com/poetry

Genre

Poetry, Spirituality, Art

Influences

Longchenpa, Robert Hunter, Thomas Sowell, Dr Seuss

Member Since

June 2012

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James Moore has published eight collections of poems and original art. He has spent his adult life as a resident of Washington State, much of it off-grid in the remote North Central region, during which time he has worked as a climbing and vocational instructor.

Retired now and self employed with Opti-Mystic Arts, his spiritual and literary influences range from Lao Tzu, Buddha Shakyamuni, Longchenpa, C.G. Jung, Mises, Rothbard and Sowell to Robert Hunter, Richard Thompson and Dr. Seuss.

"Sun Made Flesh and Fiber"
In the woods of your own making every tree
has a dark side
and each, a whole, casts a shadow.

Where can you turn
to find a way through?
Where can you run
that does not lead back into?

Trees, however dark and dense we find them,
only grow b ...more

1 post
James A. Moore's Blog

The Inspiration of Art

Art's a funny thing. Sometimes it comes easy, sometimes it's a struggle, sometimes it's inspired feeling and sometimes it's contrived. I guess that's why it's called a "work of art". It is work, but it's also play (as play is "work" for toddlers), and as we play, more and more, we worry less and less about results. Eventually it's only play and only in the moment. The more we do art the more skill Read more of this blog post »

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Published on September 24, 2023 15:10

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James A. Moore’s books

Average rating: 1.0 · 8 ratings · 1 review · 9 distinct works

	The Heart of It: Select poems 1979-2015 did not like it 1.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Little Pine: Musings of a heretic - a year of poems 2015-16 did not like it 1.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Sun Made Flesh and Fiber: Meditation is Not ~ Dreaming ~ Toward Home did not like it 1.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Extracting the Essence: select poems and stories 2020-21 did not like it 1.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Out of Time, Out of Mind: (Nothing But the Sky) a year of retreat a year of poems 2021-22 did not like it 1.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Beginner's Mind: reflections on meditation, dreaming and when awake did not like it 1.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Leave No Trace: within, without, with others an illustrated collection of poems did not like it 1.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Grandfather Wisdom: Nondual Reflections did not like it 1.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Chapters Of Life: Memoir of a Nobody 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by James A. Moore…

James is Currently Reading

James rated a book really liked it

Threads of Empire: A History of the World in Twelve Carpets

by Dorothy Armstrong

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James said: " Still reading, but a few things immediately jump out.

The writing is good (although perhaps a bit prone to hyperbole as when she describes the Siberian burial site where the 4th century BC pile rug was found as, “At the edge of the permafrost reaching Still reading, but a few things immediately jump out.

The writing is good (although perhaps a bit prone to hyperbole as when she describes the Siberian burial site where the 4th century BC pile rug was found as, “At the edge of the permafrost reaching down from the Arctic,” despite it being further south than Moscow! It’s actually not arctic permafrost in that region it’s a localized mountain permafrost), and the author certainly knows her subject when it comes to rugs (as someone who has pursued a passion for oriental weavings from personal collecting to scholarly research), but what stands out equally is the modern lens this is all being filtered through. This is to be expected after all since all works of art and literature must reflect the zeitgeist to some degree, but for me at least it detracts from the tale, and yet it is the theme of the tale to a large extent, so there is the dilemma of my appreciation!

Like the author I too am a student of history and a passionate collector of oriental rugs. But I’m not an urbane English academic, I’m a rustic nobody in the backwaters of America’s Great Northwest, so my socio-political leanings are decidedly less woke. I realize however, I am also not the intended audience.

This book traces the story of POWER (the central tenet of the Marxist inspired Post-Modernist critique of humanity btw); who appropriates it, who holds it, who has given it up, or never even had it. The underlying assumption of course is that the poor illiterate weaving women never had it (yet this neglects the inner power and pride of accomplishing the creative work in the first place, and I see no mention of the late-20th century Turkish village DOBAG project which certainly empowered that collective of women weavers).

The power, of course, instead shifts to the male side of humanity (traders, dealers, scholars, collectors and connoisseurs as well as the literal rulers, movers and shakers who adorn their yurts, houses, palaces and offices with these worthy accoutrements of power). Other 21st century politically correct tropes included here include the usual (climate change, white supremacy, cultural appropriation, income inequality, male dominance, Western imperialism and Orientalism, etc. etc…).

One other detail I want to mention which shows both the subjective nature of rug appreciation and historical interpretation involves that old rug dug up from the Siberian Scythian burial tomb. In the author’s telling of the still unresolved origin of the rug, she mentions the chieftain it was found with as being, “well muscled, with black wavy hair.” She goes on to mention he was identified by the Russian archeologist who found him in 1949 as racially Mongoloid, while his concubine companion was Caucasian, but she doesn’t say anything about the fact that the many riders on the horses around the border of the rug appear to have blond hair (in fact, somewhat hilariously they look uncannily similar to the profile of Donald Trump!). Why is this tidbit of ethnocultural evidence not mentioned, especially when it is considered accepted wisdom that ancient Scythians were often fair skinned and fair haired (light brown, blond and red) with blue or grey eyes? Could this omission have something to do with that whole tainted blond Aryan legacy? But maybe I’m just projecting my world view (a blond guy in Trumpian America) on theirs, and those yellow things atop their heads are hats and not hair.

But, and it’s a big but (for like Donkey in Shrek I do like my big buts), I am enjoying the book despite the author’s lens (and publisher's too because I do suspect this theme of power was encouraged by others to make it more relevant to the general public). But hey, making one’s way through the refracting glare of such lenses is just part of the cost of living in the modern material world, while the benefit of course is having easy access to such amazing works of art - in print and online, in museums and shops, and even in our homes. Viva la cultural appropriation!

Ps. The inclusion of a nice selection of quality color photo illustrations makes for a nice bonus. ...more "

Feb 02, 2026 10:03AM · see review

James rated a book it was amazing

Carpet Diem: Tales from the World of Oriental Rugs – A Charming and Humorous Memoir About Collecting and Beauty

by George Bradley

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James said: " As a fellow rug collector (although still a beginner) I find this a delightfully good and satisfying book. The descriptions of the carpets are rhapsodically wonderful, evoking the magic and mystery of appreciating a timeless traditional weave perfect ...more "

Jan 30, 2026 07:53AM · see review

James is currently reading

Chapters of Life

by T. Lobsang Rampa

bookshelves: currently-reading

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James said: " I am just embarking on reading this for the first time although I read more than a few of Rampa’s books back in the day over 45 years ago. And I can say just from the first page of “To Thank…” this will be a delightful read (no matter what heights or ...more "

Jan 21, 2026 07:19AM · see review

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James rated a book really liked it Threads of Empire: A History of the World in Twelve Carpets by Dorothy Armstrong	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Still reading, but a few things immediately jump out. The writing is good (although perhaps a bit prone to hyperbole as when she describes the Siberian burial site where the 4th century BC pile rug was found as, “At the edge of the permafrost reaching ...more
Jan 31, 2026 08:10AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Threads of Empire by Dorothy Armstrong. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Threads of Empire by Dorothy Armstrong <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
James made a comment on Sherwood Smith’s review of Threads of Empire: A History of the World in Twelve Carpets " There are photos in my hardcover edition. "
Jan 31, 2026 08:10AM · see review
James wants to read Tantra: The Supreme Understanding - Discourses on the Tantric Way of Tilopa's Song of Mahamudra by Osho	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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James rated a book it was amazing Carpet Diem: Tales from the World of Oriental Rugs – A Charming and Humorous Memoir About Collecting and Beauty by George Bradley	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
As a fellow rug collector (although still a beginner) I find this a delightfully good and satisfying book. The descriptions of the carpets are rhapsodically wonderful, evoking the magic and mystery of appreciating a timeless traditional weave perfect ...more
Jan 30, 2026 07:44AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Carpet Diem by George Bradley. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Carpet Diem by George Bradley <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
James is now following George Bradley Author of The Yale Younger Poets Anthology (Yale Series o...
Jan 29, 2026 12:11PM · like
James and 47 other people liked Vaishali's review of Trump: The Art of the Deal: "Good God ! The 1987 tell-all book overflows with complex business deals in Trump’s sledge-hammer style. Salted with hyperbole, Trump spills the beans on entering a privileged, difficult world he himself was new to in the 70’s. Skating rinks, railroad" Read more of this review »
Jan 25, 2026 06:43PM · see review
James and 265 other people liked Dan Alatorre's review of Trump: The Art of the Deal: "Most autobiographies of real people suck. Biographies usually suck just as bad - and I'd know, I've read bios of every president and wealthy family in the U.S., the founding fathers, and on and on. They hire people to tell a gilded view of a selective" Read more of this review »
Jan 25, 2026 06:40PM · see review
James made a comment on Joshua Domston’s review of The Sin of Empathy: Compassion and Its Counterfeits " Empathy may not be a sin (any more than lustful desire during mating season is) since it’s a natural animal response, especially for social/pack anima ...more "
Jan 22, 2026 06:15PM · see review
James wants to read The Sin of Empathy: Compassion and Its Counterfeits by Joe Rigney (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 22, 2026 05:54PM · like

More of James's books…

Quotes by James A. Moore (?)

“We're all just walking, talking blobs of Earth.”
― James A. Moore

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James’s Quotes

“Fascism is the stage reached after communism has proved an illusion.”
― Friedrich von Hayek

tags: communism, fascism

164 likes

“Here the ways of men divide. If you wish to strive for peace of soul and happiness, then believe; if you wish to be a disciple of truth, then inquire.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche

67 likes

“Normally I didn’t see a great deal. I didn’t hear a great deal either. I didn’t pay attention. Strictly speaking I wasn’t there. Strictly speaking I believe I’ve never been anywhere.”
― Samuel Beckett

135 likes

“Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.”
― Lao Tsu, Tao Teh Ching

tags: philosophy, wayfinding

3476 likes

“A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open.”
― Frank Zappa

James’s Year In Books

James A. Moore’s Followers (14)

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James A. Moore

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James A. Moore's Blog

The Inspiration of Art

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James is Currently Reading

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