Starting the practice, it is quite natural to think right away of change in our outer nature, the external man as they say. In reality, this is the last thing to change and, in some instances, may not even happen in one life.
The principle behind the practice is that the Divine Presence is there in the heart of every creature. It is hidden behind the veil of ignorance of earth nature.
The matter is not simple since we often have contrary tendencies and contradictory pulls. Besides the human mind has an almost endless capacity for self-deception.