How does Brian D Smith’s approach to spiritual growth and karma differ from traditional methods?

My approach pushes back on the idea that “suffering is required for growth” or that “everything happens for a reason” in some rigid, cosmic lesson plan. I see that as spiritually guilt‑tripping people who are already hurting. Instead, I focus on reducing unnecessary suffering, not spiritualizing it.

On karma, I don’t see it as punishment or a cosmic scorecard. It’s more like cause and effect across lifetimes—not a judge, jury, and executioner. We can learn from hard things without believing they were divinely micromanaged or “meant” to crush us.

I also emphasize using logic and intuition together—no blind beliefs, no absolute “always/never” spiritual rules.

What part of karma or spiritual growth are you wrestling with most right now?