Lets use the example of a person struggling with rigid thinking to illustrate the Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination.
1. Ignorance (avijja): The person lacks understanding of the true nature of reality and the potential for change and diversity.
2. Mental formations (sankhara): Due to ignorance, the person has formed habitual patterns of rigid thinking, where they limit their perspective and experience of the world to their fixed viewpoints.
3. Consciousness (viññana): The persons consciousness is conditioned by these mental formations, making them prone to experiencing and perceiving the world in a limited way.
4. Name and form (nama-rupa): The persons body and mind manifest in a way that is prone to rigid thinking, leading to difficulties in relating to others and adapting to new situations.
5. The six sense bases (salayatana): The persons sense organs interact with the external world, but their limited perceptions and rigid thinking prevent them from experiencing it fully.
6. Contact (phassa): The person encounters situations or stimuli that dont conform to their rigid views, causing discomfort and conflict.
7. Feeling (vedana): The person experiences negative feelings arising from their discomfort and conflict with the external world.
8. Craving (tanha): The person seeks to rid themselves of negative feelings by doubling down on their rigid perspective and avoiding exposure to divergent viewpoints.
9. Clinging (upadana): The persons attachment to their rigid thinking intensifies, leading them to reject alternative views and entrench further in their beliefs.
10. Becoming (bhava): This clinging to rigid thinking reinforces the persons habitual patterns and karmic tendencies, perpetuating the cycle of limitations and difficulty.
11. Birth (jati): The persons rigid thinking manifests in the form of alienation and social isolation, leading to further entrenchment in their beliefs.
12. Old age and death (jara-marana): Rigid thinking can lead to a lack of innovation and adaptability, perpetuating difficulties in life and causing suffering.
In this example, we can see how the Twelve Nidanas apply to the arising and perpetuation of rigid thinking. By understanding the dependent origination of rigid thinking, a person can cultivate a more open and flexible perspective towards the world, ultimately leading to greater peace and freedom from suffering.

How to break cycle at each point:

To break the cycle of dependent origination and overcome rigid thinking, one can apply the following strategies:

1. Ignorance (avijja) - To break the cycle at this point, one can cultivate wisdom and understanding by studying and practicing the teachings of the Buddha. By developing a more comprehensive understanding of reality, one can overcome ignorance and gain insight into the limitations of their own perspective.

2. Mental formations (sankhara) - To break the cycle at this point, one can work on developing new mental habits and patterns of thought. This can be done through mindfulness meditation and other contemplative practices, which help to rewire the brain and reduce the influence of unhelpful mental formations.

3. Consciousness (viññana) - To break the cycle at this point, one can work on developing a more expansive and inclusive consciousness. This can be done through practices like loving-kindness meditation, which helps to cultivate empathy and compassion for all living beings.

4. Name and form (nama-rupa) - To break the cycle at this point, one can work on developing a more integrated and holistic view of the self. This involves recognizing that the body and mind are interconnected and that both are subject to impermanence and change.

5. The six sense bases (salayatana) - To break the cycle at this point, one can work on developing a more open and receptive attitude towards sensory input. This involves cultivating mindfulness and being present with sensory experiences, rather than shutting them out or trying to control them.

6. Contact (phassa) - To break the cycle at this point, one can work on developing a more skillful response to situations or stimuli that dont conform to their rigid views. This involves being open to alternative perspectives and striving to find common ground with others.

7. Feeling (vedana) - To break the cycle at this point, one can work on developing equanimity towards both pleasant and unpleasant feelings. This involves recognizing that all feelings are impermanent and subject to change.

8. Craving (tanha) - To break the cycle at this point, one can work on developing contentment and reducing attachment to sensory experiences. This involves cultivating gratitude and recognizing the blessings in ones life.

9. Clinging (upadana) - To break the cycle at this point, one can work on developing non-attachment towards objects of craving. This involves recognizing the impermanence and unsatisfactoriness of all conditioned phenomena.

10. Becoming (bhava) - To break the cycle at this point, one can work on developing positive and wholesome karma through ethical conduct, generosity, and other virtuous actions.

11. Birth (jati) - To break the cycle at this point, one can work on developing more positive social connections and engaging in activities that promote growth and learning. This involves breaking free from the social isolation that can arise from rigid thinking.

12. Old age and death (jara-marana) - To break the cycle at this point, one can work on developing a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life. This involves recognizing that death is a natural part of life and using this recognition to motivate oneself to live fully and authentically.