Answer to Question 1
During open awareness meditation, the meditator disengages the analytical mind, suspends judgment, and becomes a passive observer of the images, sensations, feelings, and cognitions that stream through consciousness. As these elements pass through the mind the meditator makes a mental note of them but does not react or get swept away with them. Instead, the mediator lets what floats by get carried like a leaf on a stream out of consciousness and then observes what comes next.
Answer to Question 2
Breath awareness is associated with many types of meditation practices including some concentrative techniques. The idea is to focus your attention on the breathing processinspiration, in-between, and expiration. Slowing your breath to very low respiration rates can also have very powerful relaxation benefits.