Reviewing Borderline Personality Through the Lens of Baulism: A Theoretical Exploration

Baulism is an esoteric cult based lifestyle cum philosophy, based on detachment and search for self. It is one of the rare eastern Indic cultures, which incorporates lifestyle and serenity of oneself. In Baul philosophy, self-clarity means a practical picture of the mirroring the self, which can be realized and not explicitly empirically justified. People with Borderline Personality (BP) have an unstable sense of self leading to irritability, doubtfulness, and even self-harm. This lack of security leads to unsafe activities including multiple random relationships and sex, which includes a risk of sexually transmitted diseases. Self-compassion is a missing factor too. Since lifestyle is one primary element that impacts the psyche and the body, one with BP should try to modulate how one perceives oneself and others, in order to re-establish balance. The objective was to explore and understand BP through the lens of Baulism. Bauls have a penchant for selfstability and focus on humanism and kindness, while BP involves a sense of unstable self. Theoretically, it was found that there are chances for improvement regarding impulsivity and perceived vulnerability of persons with BP, if Baul practices are imbibed in one’s life. Further modules could be developed for developing practical awareness regarding the self, through Baul songs and philosophy, practice of Baul rituals and music.