Editor's Note: Ben Tatlow isn't just someone who wants to write about Christian ambient music; he's actively make it as part of the duo band Salt of the Sound. He has a fantastic, holistic perspective on the genre, and we're delighted to learn more about it through this exclusive column. And hey, go check out his band's new album, Lent, Vol. 1. 

It's mid-February, and the New Year is well and truly underway. With work and everyday busyness relaunching in earnest, resolutions are already feeling hard to keep! For many, including me, these resolutions often focus on trying to take time for ourselves--for spiritual and mental well-being. 

Over the past few years there has been a visible rise in meditation and contemplative practices being promoted and participated in by both mainstream Christian and secular audiences. From the popularity of the daily Jesuit-produced devotional podcast Pray As You Go, to the increased visibility of teachers such as Richard Rohr, and "mindfulness" apps and websites such as Headspace, there seems to be a universal need to take a step back from our social media-bombarded lives to reconnect with the spiritual. And what better time than now to commit to spending more time in prayer or meditation, actively setting aside time for a relationship with God. 
 
Christian ambient music provides the perfect soundtrack to these moments, and while it is almost certainly something you will have experienced, it still remains a relatively unexplored genre within Christian music. Through this article and subsequent features over the coming months, it is my hope that you'll not only discover some beautiful new music, but also experience a soundtrack to prayer and meditation that may encourage and support you in times of personal prayer and meditation this year. 
 
Over the coming weeks and months, we'll be continuing to explore what Christian Ambient music is, as well as connecting with some of the artists whose works form part of the genre. But for today, I wanted to close by sharing a quote by E'yen Gardner: "Every day, we have to ask God for our assignment, we must not assume we understand His plan but rather surrender to His will daily." 

Wishing you peace and love all the way from Sweden. Check out this playlist and enjoy!