Acharya Prashant explains that external growth, which involves accumulating money, power, knowledge, and experience, must always be evaluated by asking for whose sake these things are being gained. He asserts that the subject, the self, is at the center of all worldly endeavors. Therefore, the true measure of any external effort is whether it contributes to internal well-being. He defines inner growth not as an expansion, but as a process of reduction, simplification, and cleansing of the 'internal mess' or 'tumor' of tendencies like fear, greed, and ignorance that humans are born with or acquire through social conditioning. He emphasizes that inner growth requires self-observation to see if one's actions are truly benefiting the self or merely adding to the internal chaos.