I was just watching a video of a talk by Chen Xiao Wang, in it he said (losely translated that the frame (the form) is just to learn how to execute the movements correctly, after you are skillful with it, after your energy is correct, you must discard the frame, because if you do the exact postures of the frame in a self defense situation, you will get beaten down.

So, I think this is saying that the frame (a form) is a means to an end, it is a vehicle, a memory device, but without the fundamental body mechanics being correct, it is of no value. Once you are able to achieve a skill, like one permanently learns how to ride a bike (even if someone hasn't ridden in 10-20 years, he can still ride if given a bike), then you don't need the training wheels anymore, you "have it".