Every year, I take a two-hour ethics training at work and then take a test showing my proficiency in all the things I shouldn't do at work. The trainings I've taken seem to be more about what I shouldn’t do than what I should do to be an ethical person.

This week in India, I've learned some of the Hindu perspective on ethics. In order to be an ethical person -- no surprise here -- Hindus have five things you shouldn't do. The surprise for me was that Hindus also believe there are five things you should do in order to be an ethical person.

What shouldn't you do? Do not hurt anyone, do not lie, do not steal, do not be greedy, and do not overindulge.

Here is what you should do to be an ethical person:
1. Cleanse yourself. Maintain internal purity and external cleanliness.
2. Be content. However, Hindus also believe you should not be self-satisfied. Thus, striving for enlightenment should be a lifelong goal.
3. Discipline yourself. A well-disciplined mind and body will help carry a Hindu to the goal of enlightenment.
4. Study, both the sacred scriptures and in self-study.
5. Surrender to God. Do your best, and then surrender to God. Allow yourself to flow with the universe rather than against it.

All of the above "shoulds" are things we've been experimenting with on pilgrimage. For me personally, I've been especially challenged by the thought of surrendering to God. In the past, I've had an affinity for saying No to many options in my life and essentially digging my heels in against opportunities that have presented themselves. What I've learned during our sacred travel in India is that I want to say yes more to the opportunities in front of me, to the foundational strength and expression that God offers, and to the strength, compassion and vision inside of me.