Does essentialization - moving closer to one's essence - happen from the inside out or the outside in?

Shedding layers that cover our radiance is essential for letting our inner light shine. But what I've discovered is that it is impossible to shed outer layers that often provide security without feeding your essence daily.

So the process is simultaneous! We feed our inner spirit daily, all day if possible, by remaining aware of our eternal, timeless Self. Meditation, conscious breathing, and mindful awareness feed our spiritual core and help it to grow.

As it grows, and we begin to feel more secure obout our spiritual essence being the foundation of our identity, we can let go of the outer stuff that we used to cling to for security: bad habits, relationships that no longer serve our growth, jobs we've outgrown, labels that no longer fit, extra weight or physical congestion, emotional baggage...

Soon we become transparent... Well, maybe not soon, but sooner rather than later.