A story told by Swami Sivanandha

Once a  Devotee  asked his Guru to tell him a way by which he could realise the presence of God so that he can pray him to grant him what all he wants.The Guru gave him an idol of Lord Vishnu and asked him to meditate Om Namo Narayanaya.He prayed for six months ,but he was not able to see God So he approached the Guru and said no use of praying .
 The Guru then said, "You try to pray Lord Siva, as Lord  Siva is very tender and will certainly do something to you .You Utter "Om Namashivaya".The devotee kept the idol and started praying for six months .Mean while he kept the idol of Lord Vishnu in cupboard full of dirt.This time also he failed to see the Lord.

         The devotee became very restless and again went to the the Guru.This time he gave him a Goddess kali's idol and asked him to pray whole heartedly by making the place fragnent by agarbati."The devotee was happy and started his prayer.He kept Lord Siva's idol also in that cupboard.He then  lighted scented agarbithi and started praying,while praying he saw the smoke entering the cupboard.and all sweet scent going to Lord Siva.So he atonce closed the nose of the Lord with cotton.Soon to his surprise Lord Himself came and showered him His Blessings.Lord then told the Devotee, " all along you are thinking that I am an idol only now as you closed my nose you started thinking that I am a real God,so I came to bless you child."

We should have a child's mind while worshipping the Lord.A child while playing with a doll thinks the doll as a living child.The child at times feeds hugs,beats, makes that sleep.Even scolds us while the doll sleeps.the child lives in its own world.That type of bondage we should cultivate.

                       Hi Ilanders.This story I read from a magazine