ABSTRACT
The Grid is a mathematical device consisting of a plane covered by crossed lines, which creates the image of boxes or squares, or a grating that extends both vertically and horizontally. The vertical axis of the Grid designates the progressive transformative sophistication of developing or evolving thoughts as it moves downward, whereas the horizontal axis designates the act of thinking the thoughts—that is, the use to which the thoughts are being put. Bion considered the Grid to be apposite for thoughts and emotions that had attained consciousness or were in a state of “emergent consciousness”. The vertical categories constitute secondary-process. Bion also distinguished between the psychoanalytic element and the psychoanalytic object. Bion frequently refers to Hume’s concept of the “constant conjunction”. The latter designates the organization or pattern that gives coherence to hitherto scattered elements or phenomena.
