What would it be like, gazing into the eyes of a stranger? Embarrassing of course, you'd think, but then Australian resident Igor Kreyman, founder of The Human Connection, has made a global event out of the act. "Eye gazing is a form of open-eye meditation that dissolves barriers between people and shows the participants that they are far more interconnected than they realise," he says over email.

In three years since it first started, they have held over 300 events in 15 countries. Each city has chapters and there are volunteers who host the event at known locations in that city. The process at the eye gazing event is simple and anyone can participate. First, find a partner. Next, let go of expectation and be present — allow whatever that comes up to move through you unconditionally. Find an eye that you can connect with the most. Once completed, talk about the experience briefly and move on to the next person. No talking until the completion of each gaze.