To develop serenity and discernment, you should ask experienced practitioners.

"Monks, there are these four types of individuals existing in the world. Which four?

Here, monks, one individual gains internal serenity of mind but does not gain insight into phenomena through higher wisdom. Here, monks, another individual gains insight into phenomena through higher wisdom but does not gain internal serenity of mind. Here, monks, another individual neither gains internal serenity of mind nor gains insight into phenomena through higher wisdom. Here, monks, another individual both gains internal serenity of mind and gains insight into phenomena through higher wisdom.

Monks, concerning the individual who gains internal serenity of mind but does not gain insight into phenomena through higher wisdom, that person should approach the one who gains insight into phenomena through higher wisdom and ask, ‘Friend, how should conditioned phenomena be seen? How should conditioned phenomena be comprehended? How should conditioned phenomena be insightfully penetrated?’ The other explains as they have seen and understood: ‘Friend, conditioned phenomena should be seen in this way, comprehended in this way, insightfully penetrated in this way.’ Eventually, they too gain both internal serenity of mind and insight into phenomena through higher wisdom.

Monks, concerning the individual who gains insight into phenomena through higher wisdom but does not gain internal serenity of mind, that person should approach the one who gains internal serenity of mind and ask, ‘Friend, how should the mind be steadied? How should the mind be settled? How should the mind be unified? How should the mind be concentrated?’ The other explains as they have seen and understood: ‘Friend, the mind should be steadied in this way, settled in this way, unified in this way, concentrated in this way.’ Eventually, they too gain both insight into phenomena through higher wisdom and internal serenity of mind.

Monks, concerning the individual who neither gains internal serenity of mind nor gains insight into phenomena through higher wisdom, that person should approach the one who gains both internal serenity of mind and insight into phenomena through higher wisdom and ask, ‘Friend, how should the mind be steadied? How should the mind be settled? How should the mind be unified? How should the mind be concentrated? How should conditioned phenomena be seen? How should conditioned phenomena be comprehended? How should conditioned phenomena be insightfully penetrated?’ The other explains as they have seen and understood: ‘Friend, the mind should be steadied in this way, settled in this way, unified in this way, concentrated in this way; formations should be seen in this way, comprehended in this way, insightfully penetrated in this way.’ Eventually, they too gain both internal serenity of mind and insight into phenomena through higher wisdom.

Monks, concerning the individual who gains both internal serenity of mind and insight into phenomena through higher wisdom, that person, standing on those wholesome qualities, should undertake the practice for the destruction of the taints.

These, monks, are the four types of individuals existing in the world."

The Buddha is sharing in this teaching to ask for help from experienced practitioners until serenity of mind and insight into phenomena aren’t developed.

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