Lets use the example of a person passively listening to illustrate the Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination.
1. Ignorance (avijja): The person lacks understanding of the true nature of reality, including the importance of active listening in communication.
2. Mental formations (sankhara): Due to ignorance, the person has formed habitual patterns of passively listening without engaging in active communication.
3. Consciousness (viññana): The persons consciousness is conditioned by these mental formations, making them prone to passive listening.
4. Name and form (nama-rupa): The persons body and mind manifest in a way that is conducive to passive listening, such as tuning out or daydreaming.
5. The six sense bases (salayatana): The persons sense organs interact with the sounds and words of the speaker.
6. Contact (phassa): The person hears and receives the message but fails to engage with it consciously.
7. Feeling (vedana): The person may experience a neutral feeling, neither pleasant nor unpleasant, during the act of passive listening.
8. Craving (tanha): The person may crave distraction or may desire to end the conversation quickly.
9. Clinging (upadana): The person clings to their passive listening behavior, solidifying the habit and potential for future passive listening.
10. Becoming (bhava): The persons habit of passive listening can become a defining aspect of their personality, affecting their communication with others over time.
11. Birth (jati): The persons tendency towards passive listening at a young age can lead to compounded difficulties with communication, resulting in future interpersonal or professional obstacles.
12. Old age and death (jara-marana): The persons continued habit of passive listening, if left unchecked, can reinforce an ongoing cycle of inter-personal challenges, which could compromise ones relationships and their capacity to convey or receive important information; especially as they get older.
In this example, we can see how the Twelve Nidanas apply to the arising and perpetuation of passive listening. By recognizing the dependent origination of passive listening and cultivating awareness around active communication, a person can overcome this habit and enjoy better communication with others, ultimately creating more positive and productive interactions.

How to break cycle at each point:

Here is an explanation of how to break the cycle at each point of the Twelve Nidanas in the context of passive listening:

1. Ignorance (avijja): To break the cycle at this point, one must cultivate an awareness of the benefits of active listening and the drawbacks of passive listening. This can be achieved through education or introspection, including self-reflection and self-awareness practices.

2. Mental formations (sankhara): By recognizing the habitual patterns of passively listening and developing a conscious effort towards active listening, one can break the cycle at this point. This requires intentionally interrupting the habit of passive listening and replacing it with a new habit of active listening.

3. Consciousness (viññana): Becoming aware of the unconscious nature of passive listening habits is key to breaking the cycle at this point. Through the cultivation of mindfulness practices like meditation, one can develop a deeper understanding of their consciousness and the ways they engage with the world, making it easier to break free from unconscious habits.

4. Name and form (nama-rupa): Engaging in physical and mental practices that support active listening, like maintaining good posture, making eye contact, and focusing on the speaker, can help break the cycle at this point. These practices help to create a supportive environment that reinforces healthy listening habits.

5. The six sense bases (salayatana): Developing a strong sense of concentration and attentiveness can break the cycle at this point. This requires cultivating mindfulness practices that support awareness of the sensory experience, including the ability to recognize when one is not fully present or engaged in conversation.

6. Contact (phassa): Breaking the cycle at this point requires redirecting attention to the point of contact, which in this case is the speakers message. This can be achieved through active listening practices like paraphrasing or summarizing the speakers message to ensure proper comprehension.

7. Feeling (vedana): Active listening involves maintaining an open and curious mindset, which can help break the cycle at this point by promoting feelings of engagement and interest. Recognizing the potential for personal growth and the opportunity to learn from others can help to further promote positive feelings towards conversation.

8. Craving (tanha): Practicing non-attachment to personal feelings and opinions while engaging in conversation can help break the cycle at this point. By recognizing and accepting all the emotions that arrive and making a conscious effort not to cling to them or judge them, one can be more open to actively listening to another person.

9. Clinging (upadana): To break free from the tendency to cling to passive listening habits, one must cultivate the ability to observe oneself objectively, developing a greater awareness of their habits and tendencies.

10. Becoming (bhava): Developing a willingness to adapt to new situations and engage with new people can break the cycle at this point. By recognizing that change is possible and remaining open to learning and growing, one can develop new habits of active listening over time.

11. Birth (jati): Cultivating self-awareness can help break the cycle at this point. By recognizing and acknowledging the effects of past habits, one can be more mindful of their present interactions and avoid allowing past habits to shape their behavior.

12. Old age and death (jara-marana): By consciously developing and adopting new habits of active listening, one can maintain their communication skills and ability to interact with people well into old age. This requires remaining open and curious, and committed to growth and change.