Can meditation be centered only on being aware of thoughts, and not necessarily on paying attention to the breath, which seems to only to be in place to facilitate more awareness of thoughts; the ultimate goal?

Where you place your attention your energy will flow. When we place our attention on the breath, which is a special focal point that is connected to the deepest parts of ourselves, we are creating an experience of becoming aware of more of ourselves as the awareness...

Advice please. How do you deal with a narcissistic boss/supervisor in the work place? Leaving is not an option so are there any tactics I can use to stay on the right side of a narcissistic boss?

Truth is the tactic. Your life is not just about that job as you would like to believe. Whatever you do straying from truth, will drag you more into suffering whether you keep the job or not. Whatever you do living with truth, will lead you out of suffering more...