Swami Vivekananda’s quote, “Everything that occupies space has form. The formless can only be infinite,” is a profound statement that delves into the nature of existence and reality. It suggests that everything tangible, which can be physically measured or perceived in our three-dimensional reality, must have a shape or form. This is because ‘form’ here refers to any physical attribute that allows us to perceive an object within our spatial dimensions – length, width and height.
On the other hand, something without form – something we cannot touch or see – does not belong to our physical dimension and therefore isn’t confined by its rules of space. Instead, it’s infinite – limitless and boundless. This could refer to abstract concepts like thoughts, emotions or even spiritual entities like souls which are believed by many to be unbounded by physical constraints.
Applying this idea in today’s world could take numerous forms. In personal development for instance: when we consider our potential (which is formless), the concept suggests it’s limitless – we’re only bounded by the limitations we place on ourselves.
This philosophy also finds relevance in fields like quantum physics where particles may exist in state of superposition (they can be everywhere and nowhere at once) until observed or measured – pointing towards an ‘infinite’ possibility.
In terms of societal applications: if we view cultural norms as ‘forms,’ they occupy social spaces and dictate behavior within those boundaries. However ideas such as love, justice or equality are formless yet infinite; they transcend geographical borders & cultural differences.
Therefore Swami Vivekananda’s quote provides a perspective shift: recognizing both what exists within defined boundaries (has form) but also acknowledging the boundlessness (the infinite) beyond these confines.