"All of us grow up in particular realities - a home, family, a clan, a small town, a neighborhood. Depending upon how we're brought up, we are either deeply aware of the particular reading of reality into which we are born, or we are peripherally aware of it"

This quote by Chaim Potok talks to the idea that our training and environment can shape our understanding of the world. All of us mature in a particular reality, be it a house, household, clan, small town, or community. Depending upon how we are raised, we can either be deeply knowledgeable about the truth we are born into, or just peripherally knowledgeable about it. This quote recommends that our childhood can have a profound impact on our understanding of the world, and how we connect with it. It is necessary to recognize the influence of our environment on our worldview, and to be conscious of the methods which it can shape our beliefs and values. By knowing our specific reality, we can much better comprehend our place in the world and how our experiences shape our viewpoints.