As a divination manual and a wisdom text, the I Ching has been used for centuries to provide guidance and inspiration. Jonathan Porter, Professor of History and Director of Asian Studies at the University of New Mexico, points out in his introduction that the purpose of the I Ching is to understand human situations in the context of the processes of nature.

In this beautiful volume, the text is set alongside images taken between 1972 and 2003 by photographers and collaborators Janet Russek and David Scheinbaum as they have dealt with situations in their life and work. They write: "We have consulted the I Ching for many of the major decisions in our lives, not as a last word or an authoritative answer but for assistance in our decision-making process. The ancient Chinese wisdom is uncanny in its ability to enlighten a situation, challenging us to question, expand our perspectives, consider the impact of our decisions on those around us, and ponder our lives in the past, present, and future. The I Ching is an oracle, but for us it has also served as a friend, confidant and wise counselor." Here images of water, trees, mountains, clouds, and stones provide a visual enhancement to the I Ching hexagrams.