When you start to practice meditation on a consistent basis your brain begins to change.  There are four primary areas of the brain that are affected.  They are the striatum and nucleus accumbens, the limbic system, the frontal lobe, and the prefrontal cortex.  These areas of the brain work together in decision making.  When they do not work together smoothly, we fall back to our old habits.  Mediation allows us to consciously rewire our brains, so these four sections work in harmony.

The Striatum and Nucleus Accumbens

This region of the brain is where our habit and reward center is located.  It is one of the most primordial parts of our brains.  Part of its function is reinforcing behaviors and habits based on rewards and avoidance of pain.  It also forms the base for all our social behavior.

The Limbic System

This area of the brain is responsible for our emotional reactions.  The limbic system plays a big role in our survival instincts.  It is responsible for us feeling satisfaction when eating, drives us to reproduce, and to care for our young.

The Frontal Lobe

The frontal lobe is responsible for higher level executive functions.  These executive functions include cognitive skills such as planning and organizing.  They allow us to initiate actions, self-monitor, and control our reactions to achieve a goal.

The Prefrontal Cortex

The part of the brain is responsible for storing and controlling memory.  It works with the frontal lobe to create and initiate logical and critical thinking.

How They Work Together

These parts of the brain are stacked on top of each other.  The deeper you go the more instinctual our actions and thoughts become.  There is a stark divide between the instinctual parts of the brain and the higher cognitive parts.  When they work harmoniously together, we can make logical decisions that benefit yourselves and others.  However, when they do not work together, we revert to old patterns and habits of doing things which may not always be the healthiest.

Meditation allows us to consciously change the way we process stimuli from the environment and our own thought processes.  It strengthens the higher cognitive parts of our brains.  As we deepen our meditation practice, we get better at taking conscious action and not being reactive to different situations we are faced with.