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Y
ou have perhaps recognized Bion in this humorous and
deep statement.
I shall refer in this presentation to one of the paths I
explored to cope with these uncanny temptations. But first let us
quote Bion at length once more:
I once had in analysis a charming and co-operative patient. I
shall now tell you about a session that was fairly typical of the
mained with us for a whole week, giving lectures and many semi-
nars (small groups of six participants) where alternately both
candidates and experienced analysts presented clinical material.
Bion's comments belong to that context. The present chapter,
partially based on the notes I took during that week, reflects the
"oral Bion" I heard at the time and addresses in particular his
suggestion that the analyst should listen "without memory or de-
sire". Therefore a distinction should be established between the
words actually pronounced by Bion and the recollection I have of
them, inasmuch as I am basing myself on my listening to what
Bion had to say in such a specific context. I shall not take into
account any of Bion's writings, not even the "Notes on Memory
and Desire" (1967a), with which I was not acquainted at the time.
In saying this, I am aware of the distance that separates me
from Bion's disciples and analysands. I am addressing only one
particular aspect of Bion's thinking that I have been able to incor-
porate into my own way of thinking. This aspect is nonetheless
essential and highly representative of the change of perspective
that Bion and other authors brought to the psychoanalytical move-
ment.
A patient who has been in analysis for many years tells me that
he suddenly felt a great anxiety when approaching the build-
ing where I work. At first it seems a nameless anxiety, but then
he produces an association. He says that he feels he cannot tell
86 W. R. BlON: BETWEEN PAST AND FUTURE
To conclude