How you are

Buddhist teachings about different stages of practice, for example, can give us some idea of what may come along on the road ahead so that we know the path has been traveled by others. But unfortunately, talking about stages can make us anxious to reach the next stage, and then the next. It can make us dissatisfied with how we are now, and cause discouragement.

I'm familiar with who we are or what we are, but not how we are. What exactly does how we are mean? I guess it may mean in this context the stage where you are now though.

Thanks in advance!