What are the unique spiritual growth techniques advocated by Brian D Smith?

I focus less on “techniques” as tricks and more as daily practices that slowly rewire how you see life, death, and yourself. Here are some of the big ones I advocate and actually live:

• GEMS framework – Gratitude, Exercise/Sleep, Mindfulness, Self‑care. These are practical, body-based ways to support spiritual growth, especially in grief. If your nervous system is fried, it’s hard to feel Spirit.

• Transforming grief into growth – I don’t treat grief as a disease to cure, but as an invitation. I help people:

  • Befriend their pain instead of fighting it
  • Ask, “Who am I becoming because of this?”
  • Use journaling, gentle inquiry, and conversation with their loved one as tools

• Continuing bonds with loved ones – I encourage:

  • Talking to your person out loud
  • Asking for signs and paying attention to “coincidences”
  • Including them in decisions and milestones
    This keeps the relationship alive and grows your sense that consciousness continues.

• Mental fitness and “saboteur” work – Using mental fitness tools, I help people:

  • Notice the harsh inner critic and fear stories
  • Shift into a wiser “sage” perspective
  • Reframe experiences through meaning, compassion, and curiosity

• Pre-birth planning lens – I invite people to consider (not blindly believe) that we may have chosen key themes and challenges before birth. That perspective can soften “Why me?” into “What now?” and open deeper spiritual growth.

If you’d like, I can walk you through a simple daily practice that combines GEMS, continuing bonds, and mental fitness so you’ve got something concrete to start using today.