What I refer to by habitual reacting is:
We all have a set of programmes in our interaction with the world, some 'programs' may be based on fear, some on love, some of laziness, joy whatever...
Often when receive sensory information...
Our mind interacting with the physical world
We re-act in a closed loop, that is, we just pull off some of the pre-programming, that might have been there for ages, and might not sustain who we are now...
Those pre-programmes are in the lower part of the brain or even at spinal levels...
E.g. when you walk, you have programmes in closed loops, so that you just enter a sort of program...
You can consciously chose to step out of that program and make your walk a walk in awareness, so that your deeper being are part of the walk...
This will typical create another kind of experience walking, like you interact with yourself and the essence of the environment on a far deeper level...
Sometimes it's just fine to use the programs,but always a good idea to update them...
Another example could be when your husband or another one say something to you, that triggers a certain effect...
That way again you react, from some lower centres in your central nervous system (and thereby lower stages of awareness)
A wise decision could be, when you feel that triggered emotion coming up (something being said for the 117th time) and just stop..
Stop and embrace what is, right now...
Connect with that part of yourself that is true, which is beyond (self)blame and (self)judgement...
When you find that place and are able to dwell there, you can start to act...
That is move from that place in yourself where you are true, and where your acting always will be of integrity towards yourself and others...
Does it make sense to you?

This might be helpfull:
[link to www.shambhala.org]


Added this by edit:
Isolated mind: craving for knowledge --> confusion, fear, isolation
Opening heart: Understanding --> interconnectedness, truth inside, centered, true love, caring
Heart-mind 8heart and higher mind) --> wisdom, seeing oneself and others inside out, in the greater context of One Life

From there the confused lower mind, craving for knowledge, if it bows and serves the heart-mind, can be a very helpfull servant... And not a master which it is has been to much...
Then true intuition and the balancing of matter-soul-spirit are realized...

Just my ponderings
:o)