Lets use the example of a person who has a tendency to exaggerate problems to illustrate the Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination.
1. Ignorance (avijja): The person lacks understanding of the true nature of reality, including the impermanence and insubstantiality of phenomena.
2. Mental formations (sankhara): Due to ignorance, the person has formed habitual patterns of magnifying problems beyond their actual magnitude.
3. Consciousness (viññana): The persons consciousness is conditioned by these mental formations, making them prone to exaggerating problems.
4. Name and form (nama-rupa): The persons body and mind (psychophysical constituents) manifest in a way that is susceptible to exaggerating problems.
5. The six sense bases (salayatana): The persons sense organs (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and mind) interact with the external world.
6. Contact (phassa): The person encounters a situation or stimulus (e.g., receiving criticism) that triggers their tendency to exaggerate the problem.
7. Feeling (vedana): The person experiences an unpleasant feeling as a result of the situation, which reinforces their tendency to exaggerate the problem.
8. Craving (tanha): The person develops a craving for a solution or resolution to the perceived problem.
9. Clinging (upadana): The persons attachment to their perception of the problem intensifies, and they cling to their perception as a way of dealing with the situation.
10. Becoming (bhava): This clinging to the perception of the problem reinforces the persons habitual patterns and karmic tendencies, perpetuating the cycle of exaggerating problems.
11. Birth (jati): The persons exaggeration of the problem manifests in the form of increased stress, anxiety, and negative consequences, further perpetuating the cycle of mental formations and karmic consequences.
12. Old age and death (jara-marana): The persons tendency to exaggerate problems, if left unaddressed, can lead to physical, mental, and emotional suffering and perpetuate negative consequences in future situations or even future lives.
In this example, we can see how the Twelve Nidanas apply to the arising and perpetuation of a tendency to exaggerate problems. By understanding the dependent origination of this tendency and recognizing the interdependence of the Twelve Links, a person can cultivate mindfulness and work towards breaking the cycle of exaggerating problems, ultimately leading to greater peace and freedom from suffering.

How to break cycle at each point:

To break the cycle of exaggerating problems, one could apply the following approaches at each point of the Twelve Nidanas:

1. Ignorance (avijja): By cultivating awareness and insight into the true nature of reality, such as the impermanence and insubstantiality of phenomena, one can begin to recognize and let go of distorted views of problems.
2. Mental formations (sankhara): By intentionally cultivating positive mental habits and behavior, such as reframing problems in a more realistic and optimistic way, one can overcome habitual patterns of exaggeration.
3. Consciousness (viññana): Through the practice of mindfulness, one can develop greater awareness and discernment of the content and quality of their thoughts, emotions, and perceptions, thus reducing the influence of past conditioning on their present experience.
4. Name and form (nama-rupa): By developing a deeper understanding of the interdependence of body and mind, one can appreciate how physical and mental health are interrelated, and take action to address both aspects when facing problems.
5. The six sense bases (salayatana): By practicing sense restraint and mindfulness, one can reduce the likelihood of being overwhelmed or misled by sensory input that reinforces exaggerated views of problems.
6. Contact (phassa): By practicing mindful awareness of the triggers and conditions that contribute to exaggerated views of problems, one can learn to recognize and respond in a more skillful and constructive way.
7. Feeling (vedana): By practicing equanimity and non-reactivity to pleasant and unpleasant feelings, one can reduce the tendency to crave or avoid certain experiences, and thus lessen the influence of exaggerated views of problems.
8. Craving (tanha): Through the practice of detachment and self-awareness, one can develop a greater sense of contentment and acceptance, and reduce the desire for things to be other than they are.
9. Clinging (upadana): By developing insight into the causes and conditions of clinging, one can learn to let go of attachment to beliefs, views, or perceptions that reinforce exaggerated views of problems.
10. Becoming (bhava): By cultivating a sense of purpose and meaning beyond the immediate problem, and by focusing on actions and behaviors that align with ones values and ideals, one can reduce the influence of karmic tendencies that perpetuate the cycle of exaggeration.
11. Birth (jati): By recognizing the consequences of exaggeration on ones mental and emotional well-being, relationships, and life circumstances, one can learn to respond in a more measured and constructive way to problems, reducing negative consequences and promoting positive outcomes.
12. Old age and death (jara-marana): By recognizing the impermanence and transience of all phenomena, one can develop a greater sense of acceptance and equanimity, and reduce the fear and suffering associated with aging, sickness, and death.