user16806: At times when the mind is critical of not having achieved the samsaric goals, is there any consolation to have arrived at the Buddha dharma, especially from a non-Buddhist background?
If so, how will the narrative go? How to find solace in the idea that, 'if not yet nirvana then at least a practicing Buddhist'?

user254: How to find solace in the idea that, 'if not yet nirvana then at least a practicing Buddhist'?
Perhaps the notion that "I am this or that", e.g. "I am a practicing Buddhist", is a faint or transient solace -- or (worse), perhaps it's an example of an "identity view" (or of a "conceit") and thus a source of suffering and confusion.
The Dalai Lama said once that if he saw himself as special -- as "the Dalai Lama" or as "the Nobel Prize Winner" -- then he'd be trapped in that kind of identity view; but instead he sees himself as being "just like everyone else".
Instead I think what's useful or a solace is understanding and perhaps practicing the dhamma -- for example, understanding "suffering, the cause of suffering, and the cessation of suffering" -- or perhaps, acting with "skilful virtue" so as to "experience no remorse", and so on.

16806: <p>At times when the mind is critical of not having achieved the samsaric goals, is there any consolation to have arrived at the Buddha dharma, especially from a non-Buddhist background?</p>
<p>If so, how will the narrative go? How to find solace in the idea that, 'if not yet nirvana then at least a practicing Buddhist'?</p>
 254: <p><strong>How to find solace in the idea that, 'if not yet nirvana then at least a practicing Buddhist'?</strong></p>
<p>Perhaps the notion that &quot;I am this or that&quot;, e.g. &quot;I am a practicing Buddhist&quot;, is a faint or transient solace -- or (worse), perhaps it's an example of an &quot;identity view&quot; (or of a &quot;conceit&quot;) and thus a source of suffering and confusion.</p>
<p>The Dalai Lama said once that if he saw himself as special -- as &quot;the Dalai Lama&quot; or as &quot;the Nobel Prize Winner&quot; -- then he'd be trapped in that kind of identity view; but instead he sees himself as being &quot;just like everyone else&quot;.</p>
<p>Instead I think what's useful or a solace is understanding and perhaps practicing the dhamma -- for example, understanding &quot;suffering, the cause of suffering, and the cessation of suffering&quot; -- or perhaps, acting with &quot;skilful virtue&quot; so as to &quot;experience no remorse&quot;, and so on.</p>
