Lets use the example of self-destructive behaviors 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 interdependence of phenomena.
2. Mental formations (sankhara): Due to ignorance, the person has formed habitual patterns of seeking relief from their emotional pain through self-destructive behaviors.
3. Consciousness (viññana): The persons consciousness is conditioned by these mental formations, making them prone to engaging in self-destructive behaviors.
4. Name and form (nama-rupa): The persons body and mind manifest in a way that is susceptible to engaging in self-destructive behaviors.
5. The six sense bases (salayatana): The persons sense organs interact with the external world.
6. Contact (phassa): The person encounters situations or stimuli that trigger their emotional pain and increase their desire to engage in self-destructive behaviors.
7. Feeling (vedana): The person experiences intense emotional pain and suffering, and self-destructive behaviors seem to offer relief or escape from that pain.
8. Craving (tanha): The person develops a strong desire for self-destructive behaviors as a means of coping with their emotional pain.
9. Clinging (upadana): The persons attachment to self-destructive behaviors intensifies, perpetuating the cycle of craving and clinging.
10. Becoming (bhava): This clinging to self-destructive behaviors reinforces the persons habitual patterns and karmic tendencies.
11. Birth (jati): The persons self-destructive behaviors manifest in the form of addiction, self-harm, or other harmful actions, reinforcing the cycle of mental formations and karmic consequences.
12. Old age and death (jara-marana): Unaddressed self-destructive behaviors can lead to physical, mental, and emotional suffering, perpetuate negative consequences in future situations or even future lives, and ultimately may lead to illness or even death.
This example illustrates how the Twelve Nidanas apply to the arising and perpetuation of self-destructive behaviors. By understanding the dependent origination of self-destructive tendencies and recognizing the interdependence of the Twelve Links, a person can work towards breaking the cycle, cultivating mindfulness, compassion, and wisdom for the benefit of themselves and others.

How to break cycle at each point:

Breaking the cycle of dependent origination at each point in the context of self-destructive behaviors can look something like this:

1. Ignorance (avijja) - By seeking knowledge and developing insight into the true nature of reality and the causes and conditions that lead to self-destructive behaviors, a person can break the cycle at the point of ignorance.

2. Mental formations (sankhara) - By cultivating positive mental habits, such as developing healthy coping mechanisms, engaging in positive self-talk, and developing compassion towards oneself, a person can break the cycle at the point of mental formations.

3. Consciousness (viññana) - By developing mindfulness and meditation practices, a person can become more aware of their habitual thought patterns and can train their mind to remain in the present, ultimately breaking the cycle at the point of consciousness.

4. Name and form (nama-rupa) - By addressing the underlying causes of negative emotions and internal conflicts, a person can reduce their vulnerability to self-destructive behaviors, breaking the cycle at the point of name and form.

5. The six sense bases (salayatana) - By practicing sensory restraint, limiting exposure to triggers of self-destructive behaviors, and avoiding the circumstances that lead to negative emotional experiences, a person can break the cycle at the point of the six sense bases.

6. Contact (phassa) - By developing a greater understanding of the connection between sensory experience and emotional responses, a person can be more intentional with their reactions and prevent the cycle from continuing at the point of contact.

7. Feeling (vedana) - By developing emotional regulation skills and learning to tolerate negative emotions, a person can break the cycle at the point of feeling.

8. Craving (tanha) - By addressing the underlying causes of the craving for relief from negative emotions and finding positive ways to cope, a person can break the cycle at the point of craving.

9. Clinging (upadana) - By developing a sense of detachment from self-destructive behaviors and cultivating positive habits, a person can break the cycle at the point of clinging.

10. Becoming (bhava) - By cultivating positive habits and patterns of behavior, a person can reduce the karmic tendency towards self-destructive behaviors and break the cycle at the point of becoming.

11. Birth (jati) - By addressing the negative consequences of self-destructive behaviors and developing positive coping mechanisms, a person can break the cycle at the point of birth.

12. Old age and death (jara-marana) - By addressing the root causes of self-destructive behaviors and developing healthy patterns of behavior, a person can break the cycle at the point of old age and death, reducing suffering and promoting wellness.