Satya and Asteya: Honest Communication and Right Effort Allocation

Satya (truthfulness) and asteya (non-stealing, including not taking what isn't yours to take) form a power pair for ADHD individuals. Satya addresses the pattern of social masking and false self-presentation common in ADHD: pretending capabilities you don't have, hiding struggles to avoid shame, or overstating commitment. Practicing satya means honest communication about your actual capacity, needs, and limitations. This reduces the cascade of broken promises and shame that often accompanies ADHD. Asteya extends this to energy and attention: it's stealing to commit to more than you can deliver, to take on tasks that drain shared resources, or to spend others' time through chronic lateness and disorganization. For ADHD individuals prone to 'yes' and over-commitment, asteya reframes saying 'no' as an ethical act—protecting both yourself and others. These principles dissolve the false choice between ADHD shame and unbounded self-expression. Instead, they invite authentic presence: honest about your nature, careful with your commitments, and genuinely available for what you do undertake.