Yogi: When a strong mental or bodily pain arises, it needs more than be watched; it needs to be touched and loved.

Sayadaw: If we’re guided by right view, we become willing to observe something. 

Many teachers teach to have some metta for ourselves when we face a difficult emotion so that the mind can observe in a softer way. The effect is to reduce the aversion towards the experience, to make the mind more willing to approach it.

The hope is for the yogi to find a way to approach the experience in a way that is not painful.

I would always view the object as not mine or universal and something interesting, but for some of us viewing the experience with kindness brings positivity to the observing too.

If we find we’re able to bring up kindness and view our difficult experience with kindness, it serves the same purpose. The point is that we become willing to accept and observe; it doesn’t matter if it is interest or kindness which brings that acceptance and willingness. 

Once the mind can find the right stance to accept and observe, then it’s fine.