Hi K2,

Focusing on breathing is something that can have a positive effect, especially in situations of stress.

That's a fact of life. People who have never received "knowledge" do it, and benefit from it. In fact it's a natural birthright of everyone on the planet.

It's just that we've learned one particular method of focussing on breath that, because of our "teacher's" neediness, makes us think that we owe something to him for having taught it to us.

True teachers would never emphasise that. Rather, they would encourage their students to go beyond what they had been taught, and then share that with their former teacher.

Your breath is your own, and when you focus on it, no thanks should be necessary to anyone, (except perhaps your parents, for giving you life - and your god, if you believe in one).