This was already known to Bach and used by him (e.g. in his famous prelude, or Bach-Gounod Ave Maria)
Let us say that we want to pass, from the chord X=C to the chord Y=Dm, as a smooth tension resolution.
The idea of Bach is the next: We do it in two steps a) b) though a third chord Z.
Step a) is to use a chord Z with the same root (or fifth) as the target chord Y , and even better if Z is relative to Y, that is with 2 common notes , but Z is a tension chord. E.g. Z=Ydim7 or Z=Ysus2 , or Z=Ysus4 OR Z=Yaug etc
Step b) From Z we resolve to Y smoothly. We resolve because from a tension chord Z we go to a non-tension chord Y, and this is smooth because Z and Y have same root or even 2 common notes (relative chords)
So in total X-> Ydim7->Y and here in particular C->Ddim7->Dm
(if it was G->D, we would prefer G->Daug->D)
Of course an other more classical method is to use the Z=Y(-1), in other words the major chord, which is one step before Y in the circle of 4ths, and use the standard resolution Z7->Y. E.g in out example, Y=Dm , Y(-1)=A, and Z=A7, so in total C->A7->Dm.
But the method of Bach is more intense in listening to it.
