  We present an accretion cycle which can explain state transitions and other
observed phenomena in black hole X-ray binaries. This model is based on the
process of disc tearing, where individual rings of gas break off the disc and
precess effectively independently. This occurs when the Lense-Thirring effect
is stronger than the local disc viscosity. We discuss implications of this
model for quasi-periodic oscillations and the disc-jet-corona coupling. We also
speculate on applying this model to active galactic nuclei and other accreting
systems.
