Mumbai, Dec 12 (IANS): Discarding materialistic values for a brief while, top corporate heads Friday learnt tips on how spirituality could help leadership and business for overall economic growth and progress.

Over 150 of them listened in rapt attention as Radhanath Swami shared with them the ways of incorporating spirituality in day-to-day business activities at a special event of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here.

Radhanath Swami, 64, emphasised on values like simplicity and humility to drive home the point of integrity in business.

Quoting religious verses, he said: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a man to enter the world of spirituality."

"We must subdue our egos...then, and only then, can we elevate ourselves to the spiritual plane. India represents to the world a deep-rooted and profound spiritual culture," said Radhanath Swami.

One of the attendees, Ajay Piramal, chairman of the Piramal Group, said that by practising spiritual values in your business it can actually create long-term economic values.

"Knowledge, action and care are universal values, whether they are adopted or not depends on individuals...we have adopted these values for our pharmaceutical companies and the results are there for all to see," Piramal added.

CEO of the Future Group Kishore Biyani shared his experiences of transforming from a stoic, sceptic to an all-embracing spiritual person three years ago after a chance meeting with Radhanath Swami in London.

"As business leaders, we influence many lives...spirituality plays a big role in the successful management of the business," Biyani said.

Born as Richard Slavin in a Jewish family of Chicago, Radhanath Swami embarked on a spiritual journey in the 1960s.

From 1969, he walked and hitch-hiked into Europe, the Middle East and finally India where he became a 'sanyasi' (monk) and currently heads the ISKCON temple in Chowpatty, south Mumbai.