Lets use the example of excessive pride to illustrate the Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination.
1. Ignorance (avijja): The person lacks understanding of the true nature of reality, including the interdependent nature of all phenomena.
2. Mental formations (sankhara): Due to ignorance, the person forms habitual patterns of seeking validation and superiority over others through excessive pride.
3. Consciousness (viññana): The persons consciousness is conditioned by these mental formations, making them prone to experiencing excessive pride.
4. Name and form (nama-rupa): The persons body and mind manifest in a way that is susceptible to excessive pride.
5. The six sense bases (salayatana): The persons sense organs interact with the external world.
6. Contact (phassa): The person encounters a situation (e.g., receiving an award) that triggers feelings of pride through their sense bases.
7. Feeling (vedana): The person experiences a pleasant feeling as a result of the situation that reinforces their sense of superiority.
8. Craving (tanha): The person develops a desire to maintain and further enhance their superiority over others.
9. Clinging (upadana): The persons attachment to their pride intensifies, leading them to cling to their self-image and reinforcing their sense of superiority.
10. Becoming (bhava): This clinging to excessive pride reinforces the persons habitual patterns and karmic tendencies, perpetuating the cycle of pride.
11. Birth (jati): The persons excessive pride manifests in actions and behaviors that further reinforce their sense of superiority and karmic consequences.
12. Old age and death (jara-marana): The persons excessive pride, 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 excessive pride. By recognizing the interdependence of the Twelve Links and cultivating mindfulness, a person can work towards breaking the cycle of pride, ultimately leading to greater humility and freedom from suffering.

How to break cycle at each point:

To break the cycle of excessive pride at each point, one can apply the following approach:

1. Ignorance (avijja): Recognize and investigate the delusional belief in ones inherent superiority or the importance of maintaining a positive self-image. Practice self-reflection and seek teachings that can support the development of wisdom.

2. Mental formations (sankhara): Cultivate positive mental states and wholesome thought patterns. For example, meditate on the Four Divine Abodes (loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity) to cultivate a sense of interconnectedness and to counteract the habit of seeking validation and recognition from others.

3. Consciousness (viññana): Develop awareness of the underlying mental formations that condition consciousness. Practice mindfulness meditation to cultivate an objective and non-judgmental attitude toward the external world and internal experience.

4. Name and form (nama-rupa): Let go of the need to maintain a physically and socially impressive appearance. Recognize the impermanence and unsatisfactoriness of identity-related concepts.

5. The six sense bases (salayatana): Approach the sense bases with equanimity and non-attachment. Avoid selectively perceiving situations and stimuli that reinforce ones sense of self-importance.

6. Contact (phassa): Cultivate awareness of the interaction between sense bases and external stimuli. Avoid seeking out situations or stimuli that could be used to further enhance ones self-image or sense of superiority.

7. Feeling (vedana): Develop equanimity toward the pleasant or unpleasant feelings that arise from contact with external stimuli. Recognize that these feelings are conditioned and impermanent.

8. Craving (tanha): Develop insight into the nature of craving and recognize that it drives suffering. Practice mindfulness of the tendency to cling to identity-related concepts and the desire for validation and recognition.

9. Clinging (upadana): Let go of the attachment and clinging to identity-related concepts and the desire for validation and recognition. Recognize the unsatisfactoriness (dukkha) inherent in this pattern of thinking and behavior.

10. Becoming (bhava): Recognize the karmic process of becoming that results from clinging and cultivate skillful action that supports inner well-being and the well-being of others.

11. Birth (jati): Avoid manifesting in actions, behaviors, and attitudes that reinforce ones sense of superiority. Develop humility and appreciation for the contributions of others.

12. Old age and death (jara-marana): Recognize the impermanence of life and the inevitability of aging and death. Develop a sense of urgency to cultivate wholesome qualities of mind and live a life of purpose and meaning.

In summary, breaking the cycle of excessive pride involves understanding and investigating the Twelve Nidanas and developing mindfulness and wisdom in response to each one. By cultivating positive mental states, letting go of attachment to identity-related concepts, and developing equanimity, one can break the cycle of excessive pride and cultivate inner well-being and happiness.