Your post attracted me because you touched the subject of racing thoughts as related to breath.

My guru told me that mind is the master of the senses and breath is the master of the mind. Very true. The thing that saved me in my nights of insomnia was just letting go of everything and doing a breath-based meditation.

You can do a breathing meditation any way that suits you. Secular, religious, personal, impersonal. It's very funny, and way relaxing.