The cycle of anger can be understood through the Twelve Nidanas, which depict the cycle of suffering in Buddhist teachings. The cycle begins with ignorance, the lack of understanding of ones own emotional patterns or the nature of reality, leading to habitual patterns of reacting with anger to certain situations. These patterns can become so deeply ingrained that individuals may not be aware of their own reactions and perceive them as natural and automatic. This habituated pattern conditions consciousness, making individuals prone to experiencing anger in certain situations, regardless of whether the trigger warrants such a reaction.

Continuing the cycle, individuals enter into becoming, as they begin to associate themselves with anger and negative thought patterns and behaviors become immutable traits. Finally, the manifestation of anger can further perpetuate the cycle of suffering and has future negative consequences, leading to significant psychic and emotional harm and impacting future situations and future lives.

By understanding the Twelve Nidanas and the cycle of anger, individuals can identify the specific causes and conditions that lead to their anger, as well as suggest effective ways to break the cycle. By practicing mindfulness, cognitive restructuring, and self-reflection, individuals can cultivate awareness of their patterns of anger and develop strategies to regulate and transform their mental states.

At each point in the cycle, individuals can take deliberate steps to break the cycle of anger. Strategies such as practicing self-reflection, developing awareness through mindfulness, and engaging in cognitive-behavioral techniques can help transform habitual patterns of thinking and reacting. Through therapy, mindfulness meditation, or other forms of self-exploration, individuals can examine their attachment to anger and negative emotional states and develop strategies for letting go of clinging to anger.

By breaking the cycle of anger, individuals can find lasting freedom from suffering. Practicing detachment from negative emotions, cultivating equanimity, and practicing non-reactivity can help individuals reduce their involvement with negative emotions and alter how they manifest in the world.