The eyes have it! Australians sit in silence and stare at each other in eye gazing events to battle the 'loneliness and mental health epidemic' The 'eye gazing' phenomenon aims to silently connect people through sight Founder Igor Kreyman says it reduces anxiety and improves self confidence He said social media is partly to blame for 'comparison and competition' cultureBy Shive Prema For Daily Mail Australia Published: 06:00 GMT, 23 March 2019 | Updated: 06:00 GMT, 23 March 2019 Viewcomments 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 younger Australians are more likely to be anxious about socialising, according to the 2018 Loneliness Report. Actor Igor Kreyman is the founder of the Human Connection Movement who run the events. He said there is a 'loneliness and mental health epidemic' and eye gazing can help reduce it Mr Kreyman highlighted that although social media brings people together, it can have a negative impact self worth. 'I think comparison and competition is part of a process that affects people,' he said. 'When you look at someone's Instagram profile, you're seeing a curated image of someone. 'When you look into someone's eyes, you see them for who they are.' Mr Kreyman said people 'associate prolonged eye contact with intimacy'. He said the point of eye gazing is to see people for their true self rather than their physical appearance Mr Kreyman said eye gazing is not romantic despite people 'associating prolonged eye contact with intimacy'. 'When you see someone for who they are, that sexual desire begins to dissolve slowly and you see them for a higher aspect - for more than their physical appearance.' 'If you do connect with someone, the connection would be amplified.' He said some people have inevitably formed romantic relationships from eye gazing sessions. 'Think about it, you've got people looking into each other people's eyes - it's going to happen.' Mr Kreyman was originally inspired by artist Marina Abramović who silently stared into strangers eyes at MOMA. The Human Connection Movement has taken eye gazing overseas to Los Angeles and regularly run sessions in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Byron Bay. There are free sessions at Melbourne's Albert Park on March 23 and at Sydney's Hyde Park on March 30. Mr Kreyman encouraged people to 'be happy now rather than waiting for happiness'. Eye gazers gather at a Brisbane park in January. There are free sessions at Melbourne's Albert Park on March 23 and at Sydney's Hyde Park on March 30 Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility