The SAT Programme: Our FAQ

The SAT Programme (Seekers After Truth) is a personal transformation approach developed by Dr Claudio Naranjo. A pioneering programme in the field of humanistic and transpersonal psychology, it combines modern psychotherapeutic work with contemplative practices and Eastern spiritual traditions, aiming for an integrated development of the person in their emotional, cognitive, physical and spiritual dimensions. 

It is composed of a mosaic of methods and techniques that are organically structured around the Enneagram of personality to foster mutual support and the harmonisation of our relational and loving capacities. The SAT Programme is currently offered in modules that together form a progressive process of inner revision, allowing to neutralise repetitive neurotic mechanisms, and to support reconciliation and integration — a process that facilitates the emergence of a new awareness open to creative potential. 

After his pilgrimage in the Arica desert, Claudio Naranjo’s teachings took shape as a non-profit organisation called “Seekers After Truth”, whose initials “SAT” coincide with the Sanskrit term for “truth” and “being”. Symbolically, they also reflect the trinitarian anthropological vision that characterises his own understanding of the psychic life, echoing the three cosmic forces — affirmative, negative and neutralising — described by described by the Greek-Armenian master George I. Gurdjieff, as well as the three “inner persons” proposed by the Chilean-German sculptor Tótila Albert: the father, the mother, and the child. 

The Enneagram of Personality is a central tool of the programme, used to understand personality patterns and to learn how these patterns condition our emotions, thoughts and behaviours. The programme explores in depth the Enneatypes, their Subtypes and the internal dynamics of each Enneatype. This is one of the distinctive features of Naranjo’s approach: teaching the Enneagram in its original context and going far beyond a merely intellectual understanding by offering a holistic path of development 

The programme includes therapeutic techniques that help participants recognise and heal emotional wounds. Specific work is carried out on relationships with parental figures and on transforming dysfunctional psychological patterns 

Methods such as meditation and mindfulness are integrated to cultivate presence, self-awareness and connection with the present moment 

The programme also uses movement, therapeutic theatre and other expressive practices to release accumulated tensions and to foster liberate spontaneity and creativity 

The SAT Programme, designed by Dr Claudio Naranjo, is led by an international team of professionals experienced in psychotherapy, personal development and related disciplines. These facilitators — often former students and direct collaborators of Dr Naranjo — are selected for their expertise and their commitment to personal and collective transformation. 

The teams ensure the transmission of the SAT teachings through various modules and organised workshops. They rely on experiential learning and use an empathic approach that honours the dignity of each person. The modules are generally offered in several languages to accommodate an international audience. 

Present in 14 countries, the SAT Programme has enabled thousands of people to explore their authenticity, unlock their creative potential and cultivate a benevolent attitude towards themselves and others.  

Open to everyone — regardless of income, profession, culture or spirituality — it values diversity and welcomes participants mainly between the ages of 30 and 80. To encourage inclusion, limited financial support (Link to 5.5) is available for young people and those with low incomes  

Motivations for joining the programme vary: challenges related to relationships, family, career, depression, spirituality or compulsive behaviours. Some feel an inner emptiness despite material success; others are experiencing a life transition or seeking to reconnect with a source of inspiration. The SAT also attracts professionals in therapy, healthcare and leadership who wish to deepen their relational, emotional and existential skills while strengthening their soft skills. 

Lastly, the programme offers a unique and original approach to the Enneagram of Personality and the Psychology of the Enneatypes, as developed by Claudio Naranjo, drawing enthusiasts and practitioners from Enneagram schools worldwide. 

The programme’s modules follow an organic and structured process, carefully designed by Claudio Naranjo. It is strongly recommended to approach them in the intended order and so make the most of this natural progression. 

However, we understand that specific circumstances may require an adaptation of this sequence. If this is your case, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to support you in finding the solution best suited to your needs. 

The programme is designed to be completed in around four years, and most participants choose to follow the modules successively with their group. 

However, we recognise that each journey is unique. There is no strict deadline for completing the programme, and we remain flexible in meeting individual needs. Some participants may require more time to work on specific aspects. We encourage steady progress while respecting each person’s rhythm and personal history. 

No, and it is not intended to replace psychotherapy. Nevertheless, the SAT is an integrative method with psychotherapeutic effects, and many people have reported that it has been a valuable complement to their therapeutic experience. 

A key element of the SAT lies in the central role of the group. The group acts as a safe and supportive space, as well as a genuine laboratory where each person can experiment with new ways of being and connecting. Mutual support amongst group members is a fundamental pillar, fostering collective learning and personal transformation. 

Psychotherapists recognise the benefits of the SAT and often recommend it as an effective complement to traditional psychotherapy, offering an additional dimension to personal growth and wellbeing. 

The SAT Programme is a psycho-spiritual development process that supports self-knowledge and the unfolding of one’s potential. It involves emotional and experiential work that is fully compatible with all psychotherapeutic approaches. 

People interested in the SAT who are currently in psychotherapy or undergoing a recovery treatment are advised to seek the guidance of their doctor and/or therapist. You may invite them to read the information on our website or suggest that they contact the Directors of the Institute. 

Yes, absolutely. Many participants have never undertaken any form of therapy. They discover a rich and unexpected inner world in which they learn to follow a path of healing, liberation and mindfulness. 

The techniques and tools taught throughout the SAT Programme enable them to live their future lives differently from how they did in the past and to find new solutions to present-day challenges. 

In principle, yes. To be sure, please contact us to arrange a free consultation with one of our therapists 

Everyone knows fear in one form or another: fear of not being good enough, fear of being in a group, fear of not remembering, fear of failure, fear of looking foolish, and so on. All these fears operating in our lives block our vital energy. The SAT offers an opportunity to understand them and move beyond them. The good news is that what has been learned can also be unlearned. 

The Enneagram can sometimes be seen as a way of “thinking inside the box” because it classifies personalities into nine main types. However, it is important to understand that the Enneagram does not aim to confine anyone or reduce human complexity. On the contrary, it is a living and evolving tool designed to explore deep motivations, automatic behaviours and unconscious patterns. 

Rather than a simple typology system, the Enneagram is a map that guides us towards a better understanding of ourselves and others. It sheds light not only on the strengths and challenges linked to each personality type, but also on the paths of transformation and growth. Used consciously and dynamically, the Enneagram encourages genuine personal development and an openness to exploring the many facets of our humanity. 

Far from being a rigid or fixed system, the Enneagram is an invitation to step out of the “boxes” of our conditioning and to fully embrace our potential and uniqueness. 

A typical SAT group consists of 20 to 40 participants. The team includes at least three facilitators. Depending on the module, smaller groups are organised. 

Participants are asked to complete preparatory work, which is read and worked with in depth by the team in order to understand each person’s individual themes. 

The SAT Programme is not recommended for people: 

• with a history of severe psychological disorders (psychotic disorders, bipolardisordersand certain personality disorders);
• with a current addiction to alcohol or drugs. 

If you are currently undergoing psychopharmacological treatment, the guidance and approval of your general medical practitioner— as well as prior communication with us — are essential. 

For pregnant women, we also require the support and agreement of their gynaecologist. 

The SAT Programme invites you on a profound and transformative journey that touches every dimension of your being. It helps you to know yourself more deeply by identifying your personality patterns and unconscious conditioning, which often shape your emotions and behaviours. It is a valuable opportunity to understand what limits you — and to move beyond it. 

On an emotional level, the programme provides a space to release blockages, soothe wounds and strengthen the quality of your personal relationships. You learn to experience your emotions with greater ease and clarity. 

But the SAT goes further: it opens the door to spiritual development by reconnecting you with your deeper essence and with the world around you. This renewed connection with yourself and with others brings a richness and authenticity that can transform your daily life. 

Finally, this inner work extends far beyond your own personal transformation. As your way of relating to the world changes, you contribute to more conscious and compassionate relationships, becoming an agent of positive change in society. 

The SAT Programme is not just a method — it is a living experience that guides you towards a freer, more connected and more fulfilled version of yourself. 

These two approaches share a common spirit — that of the humanistic movement — and, above all, the legacy of two collaborators and friends, Bob Hoffman and Claudio Naranjo. 

The Hoffman Process offers psychological and educational tools to focus the inner work on one’s personal biographical history within the context of the family of origin. It is carried out in a group of up to 20 people consisting of an intensive one-week residential retreat preceded by a preparatory phase and completed by an integration phase. 

The SAT program, on the other hand, goes further by  including character analysis based on the Psychology of the Enneatypes and offers work in a larger group setting that highlights the collective dimension. It is a psycho-spiritual development programme taught in four modules of 5 to 9 days, over a period of approximately four years. 

Participating in the SAT Programme together can be a deeply enriching experience, but it may also introduce additional challenges. For the experience to be beneficial, it is essential that both people are equally motivated and aligned in their decision to participate. If one partner “pulls” the other along, this can often lead to disappointment or frustration. 

If you are considering taking part in the SAT as a couple, we invite you to contact us. We will be happy to discuss your specific situation and support you in your decision, to ensure a positive experience that is in harmony with your shared expectations. 

We recommend taking some time for reflection before joining the programme. Each participant receives a precourse work, part of which must be completed and returned to the Institute before the start of the programme. 

To ensure that every participant gains the greatest possible benefit from the SAT Programme, we create an environment that supports focus and inner work. To avoid distractions, we ask participants to disconnect as much as possible from the outside world — especially from electronic and digital devices — for the entire duration of the retreat. We encourage you to make any necessary arrangements in advance to support this disconnection. 

We recommend, whenever possible, allowing time for rest and integration after each module. These moments of quiet are essential for anchoring the programme’s benefits in a lasting way. 

The structure, organisation and flow of the different modules provide a safe and protected environment in which to experience deep process work. Throughout the retreats, you are guided step by step, so that you can remain present to whatever arises in each moment. 

The modules take place in a nurturing natural setting, and each retreat day begins with a movement session to foster body awareness. The days are well structured, with ample time for meals and rest. 

Your journey will include exercises, presentations and discussions, guided meditations, journalling, cathartic practices, large-group and small-group sessions, personal interactions with the therapists, as well as playful activities designed to help you see and understand the significant factors of your life from a new perspective. 

Between modules, we provide optional support through individual and/or group online sessions, helping you to integrate your learnings and to apply your transformations across the different areas of your life. 

If you are going through a period of financial difficulty, we invite you to share your particular situation with us. We are attentive to your needs and willing to find suitable solutions for those who are genuinely motivated. 

Thanks to our collaboration with an association promoting humanistic psychology, there are a limited number of scholarships (link to 5.5) of varying amounts available.