SHINRIN YOKU ...the journey of Pine Cones

I wasn't satisfied enough with the pine cones that I had collected during my earlier treks in Kasauli . During the first hour of my last day there I decided to climb up alone in search of these pine cones.
As I reached the hill top , managing to grab my breath I was looking around for the cones on the way but I couldn't see any..I kept wondering how far do I have to go to get what I came for , considering it was the last hour before I say goodbye to the hills for long.
Tired, I just stood on the flat high surface facing the valley ,that I could barely manage to climb on. As I sat there I had the most meditating experience ever. The silence of the forest was so melodious that I started swaying to it . A tweet here and there would often gently nudge the sound of my breath .The nature was content and the nature was still or so is what I thought. being at that centre ,I could only hear my bodily movements which of course I wanted to slow down as much as possible so as to feel the rythm of the sky and the earth. I felt one and I also felt as no one.I was completely immersed in the elements of nature.
But since I am not used to the stillness , my mind started talking to me  and told me to start looking for the cones again.
As I reluctantly moved from there, I started looking around with a mission to accomplish, but I could barely find any. I thought never mind if you don't fine the cones , the meditative experience itself was worth the climb in the morning.
I was thirsty and dint carry any water , as I wasn't expecting it to be so long .I decided to pause and wait till I was ready again. As I stood there I saw so many tiny pine cones and happily started collecting all of them .My mind uttered," you should pause in life for the beautiful things that you desire , or else you will just pass by not noticing them ".
As I started collecting them, I greedily wanted to cover as much expanse as possible .Alas, I had lost my way. I wondered whether to keep going for more or turn back? and how far do I go? Isn't this a question we often ponder upon and find it difficult to answer. Pretty soon I realised it was time to stop collecting goods and return..
At the end of the trek , in the moment of that stillness I almost cried. I was feeling so content and overwhelmed with joy in my body, stillness in my mind , and ecstasy in my soul! I guess that is what being one with nature feels like .
For me this was more than just a trek , it was about interesting questions and meanderings of life.
It was Shinrin Yoku( forest therapy ) a

nd I wish Himalayas keep calling me back !