Is self enlightenment achieved through contemplation of impermanence? Not asking for a friend, or as a plan... I started doing this some 11-14 years ago, and wondered if it was over - in any significant sense. Not that it matters - I might take the bodhisattva vows, now :) 

THanks.

My question is: is self enlightenment achieved through contemplation of impermanence :) ?
It really depends who you ask, and what you mean by &quot;contemplate&quot;. The Buddha said:

When one sees with wisdom that 'all formations are impermanent', this is the path of purification.
(Dhp. 277)

So the actual path is through &quot;seeing&quot; impermanence. One might correct your question to say that self-enlightenment can be achieved through seeing impermanence.
It can also be achieved through seeing suffering, or non-self.
One could also adjust and say that self-enlightenment is achieved through contemplating the impermanent, i.e. the five aggregates, since contemplating them - or observing objectively, rather - is what leads one to see impermanence, suffering, and non-self.

&quot;Bhikkhus, how do you conceive it: is form permanent or impermanent?&quot; — &quot;Impermanent, venerable Sir.&quot; — &quot;Now is what is impermanent painful or pleasant?&quot; — &quot;Painful, venerable Sir.&quot; — &quot;Now is what is impermanent, what is painful since subject to change, fit to be regarded thus: 'This is mine, this is I, this is my self'&quot;? — &quot;No, venerable sir.&quot;
-- SN 22.59 (Nyanamoli, trans)