Lets use the example of confirmation bias to illustrate the Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination.
1. Ignorance (Avijja): The person lacks understanding of the true nature of reality and the functions and limitations of their own mind.
2. Mental formations (Sankhara): Due to ignorance, the person has developed habitual patterns of seeking out and interpreting information that confirms their existing beliefs and biases.
3. Consciousness (Viññana): The persons consciousness is conditioned by these mental formations, making them prone to confirmation bias.
4. Name and form (Nama-rupa): The persons body and mind manifest in a way that is susceptible to confirmation bias.
5. The six sense bases (Salayatana): The persons sense organs (e.g., sight, hearing, etc.) interact with the external world.
6. Contact (Phassa): The person encounters information or stimuli that support their existing beliefs and biases.
7. Feeling (Vedana): The person experiences a positive feeling when presented with information that confirms their biases.
8. Craving (Tanha): The person develops a desire for more information that confirms their biases and avoids information that challenges them.
9. Clinging (Upadana): The persons attachment to their biases and the desire for confirmation intensifies, perpetuating the cycle of confirmation bias.
10. Becoming (Bhava): The persons clinging to confirmation bias reinforces their habitual patterns and karmic tendencies, leading to further development of the biases.
11. Birth (Jati): The persons biases manifest in the form of actions and behaviors that reinforce their beliefs and values while disregarding opposing views or facts.
12. Old age and death (Jara-marana): Unaddressed confirmation bias can lead to stagnation, lack of growth, and the perpetuation of ignorance that leads to suffering and negative consequences in future situations.
In this example, we can see how the Twelve Nidanas apply to the arising and perpetuation of confirmation bias. By recognizing the interdependent nature of the Twelve Links, a person can cultivate mindfulness and critical thinking to reduce the influence of confirmation bias and improve their ability to see things objectively.

How to break cycle at each point:

Excellent illustration of the Twelve Nidanas of Dependent Origination in the context of confirmation bias. Here are some ways we can break the cycle at each point:

1. Ignorance (Avijja): Developing awareness of our biases and limitations is necessary to overcome them. By acknowledging that we all have biases and preconceptions, we can be more open-minded and receptive to new information.

2. Mental formations (Sankhara): We can break the cycle of confirmation bias by intentionally seeking out information that challenges our existing beliefs and biases. By practicing humility and being open to feedback, we can gain a broader and more nuanced understanding of a topic.

3. Consciousness (Viññana): By reflecting on the ways in which our mental formations shape our perceptions of the world, we can become more mindful of our own biases and the biases of others.

4. Name and form (Nama-rupa): We can develop a deeper understanding of our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs through contemplative practices like meditation. This can help us become more aware of our biases and more skillful in managing them.

5. The six sense bases (Salayatana): By paying attention to our own reactions to stimuli and being mindful of the limitations of our sense organs, we can gain insight into the ways in which we are influenced by our biases.

6. Contact (Phassa): We can broaden our sources of information and engage with people who have different perspectives from our own. By listening to opposing viewpoints, we can gain a more nuanced understanding of a topic and reduce our own biases.

7. Feeling (Vedana): By reflecting on our own emotional reactions to information, we can begin to identify when we are being driven by our biases. This can help us pause and consider alternative perspectives before accepting or rejecting information.

8. Craving (Tanha): By practicing non-attachment and non-judgment, we can reduce our own desires for confirmation bias and instead seek to learn and understand more deeply.

9. Clinging (Upadana): We can break the cycle of clinging to our biases by intentionally seeking out information that challenges our existing beliefs and by becoming more aware of our own emotional reactions to information.

10. Becoming (Bhava): By cultivating greater awareness and openness to new information, we can avoid becoming entrenched in our biases and patterns of thought.

11. Birth (Jati): We can break the cycle of bias-driven actions by intentionally seeking out opposing viewpoints and being willing to revise our own beliefs and opinions.

12. Old age and death (Jara-marana): By embracing the impermanence of all phenomena, including our own beliefs and biases, we can avoid becoming attached to them and remain open to new information and experiences. This can help us avoid stagnation and continue to learn and grow throughout our lives.