Social comparison is a phenomenon experienced by many individuals. It often leads to feelings of inferiority or superiority, which can perpetuate a cycle of suffering. In the context of Buddhism, this cycle is explained through the Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination, which illustrate how experiences and actions are interconnected and interdependent.

The cycle of social comparison begins with ignorance, which refers to the lack of understanding of the true nature of reality, including the impermanent and empty nature of all phenomena. Due to ignorance, mental formations arise, which include the habitual tendency to compare oneself to others, particularly through social media. This habit is then conditioned by consciousness, making the person vulnerable to experiencing social comparison.

Social comparison is further perpetuated by the psychophysical makeup of the individual, particularly the particular psychological and emotional tendencies that make them prone to comparison. The sense bases, including sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and the mind, are often activated through stimuli like social media, leading to further contact and feelings of envy, inferiority, or admiration.

These feelings then give rise to the desire or attachment to be like the person being compared or to distance oneself from that person. Clinging intensifies the attachment to the object of craving, leading to further entanglement in the suffering cycle. This further reinforces the habit of social comparison and solidifies the self-concept, leading to a new existence.

Breaking the cycle of social comparison involves developing mindfulness and understanding of the Twelve Nidanas. This could involve developing an understanding of the nature of reality, cultivating awareness of mental habits and predispositions that lead to social comparison, developing mindfulness and clear comprehension around the habit of comparison, and recognizing the triggers that lead to comparison.

Furthermore, it involves reducing the intensity of the pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral feelings that arise from contact and developing mindfulness around the desire or attachment that arises from these feelings. Practicing restraint from or limiting exposure to social media or other comparison-provoking stimuli can also help to reduce contact.

Cultivating an attitude of emptiness or no-self can help to reduce the reinforcement of a new self-concept, and developing positive mental qualities like joy, gratitude, and contentment can help to reduce clinging. Practices that reduce self-cherishing and increase empathy can help to weaken the process of becoming and reduce the identification with self.

Overall, the Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination are a comprehensive framework that illustrates how our experiences and actions are interconnected and interdependent. By understanding this process and cultivating mindfulness, we can begin to break the cycle of social comparison and find greater peace and freedom from suffering.