Between Love & Void

A Zen Koan.

Mina & Ben were deeply in love. But they came from very different worlds. Their families were not willing to accept the marriage and adamantly opposed it.

One day Ben said — "when we can't live together, what is the point of this life? We should die together"

Both of them went to a nearby bridge and climbed over the railing, peering down at the valley floor far below.

They stood there hand in hand at the edge, ready to take the leap.

When they were just about to jump, Mina said, "Ben, I'm terrified. You jump first and it will give me the courage to jump right after!"

Ben turned and cried — "I love you, Mina!"—  and jumped from the bridge.

Mina saw him fall into the valley below and die instantly on impact.

She also got ready to jump.

At that moment a thought entered her mind — "Ben is gone. If he isn't here, my love doesn't exist. If there is no love anymore, no family problem, no social problem. When there is no problem at all, why should I give up my life?"

She looked down at the trench below and valley and shouted — "Ben! I love you!" — and walked home.