By Shive Prema For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 06:00 GMT, 23 March 2019 | Updated: 06:00 GMT, 23 March 2019
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The peculiar sight of strangers silently sitting and staring into each other's eyes in Australian parks is part of the 'eye gazing' phenomenon.
The Human Connection Movement wants to reduce anxiety and loneliness through eye gazing events across Australia - with two coming up in Sydney and Melbourne.
Founder and actor Igor Kreyman started the movement in public parks but now also runs couples sessions and corporate activities.
Strangers sit opposite each other in parks and silently stare into each others eyes. There are two eye gazing events coming up this month in Sydney and Melbourne
Around 100 people arrive at parks and sit opposite a stranger in casual sessions that run for up to four hours.
Mr Kreyman said there is an 'loneliness and mental health epidemic' and eye gazing can reduce anxiety and improve confidence.
'People give their power to external forces like anxiety and social media,' he said.
'People might be anxious or afraid but they realise everything is built up in their head is a myth.'
One in four Australians are lonely and