One root would be the concepts of Thomas Berry, Miriam T. MacGillis, Brian Swimme, Mathew Fox, etc. Another root would be the concepts of Albert Einstein, Neils Bohr, Fritiof Capra, Jean Houston, Riane Eisler, etc. Another root would be concepts coming from research into the systemic role of education in society. Another root would be concepts coming from an anthropological reassessment of the literary and artistic heritage of Western culture and religion. A central notion comes from the work of the scholar Gil Bailie in which he decodes the psychic and social dilemmas of today's crisis using insights from Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, Melville, T.S. Elliot, Flannery O'Connor, Arthur Miller, etc. as well as the writers and actors in the Old and New Testament of the Bible.
Centers function at three levels.
The first level is a simple resource library which can be located in a home, church or community center, as well as at a school or college. Resources consist of a few audio and video tapes, books and other printed material. These are loaned out within the local community. The second level is a slightly expanded resource library with individuals able to offer introductory workshops and lead discussion groups. The third level center includes an affiliation with an accredited college so that it can offer courses and programs that apply to an undergraduate or graduate degree.