The author proposes a theory of the development of consciousness in which ego is the central agent of socialization and culture and the driving force behind individual self-control and self-regulation. He reviews the literature on identity and narrative; outlines the fields of intellectual, self, moral, and consciousness development; and discusses the evidence indicating that the development of consciousness trancends the limitations of conventional ego development.

Inhalt
I: A Sketch for a Theory of Psychology.- 1. The Relevance of Psychology to Spiritual Development.- 2. The Nature of Development.- 3. Evolution.- 4. Impulse Control and Repression.- 5. Cognition.- 6. Language.- II: On the Threshold of the Spirit.- 7. Identity.- 8. Narrative.- 9. Epistemic Knowing.- 10. Knowing the Self.- 11. Social and Moral Knowing.- 12. Cosmic Knowing.- Conclusion.- References.