"obedience is central to becoming being and remaining happy"
It means that you need to obey in order to become happy and live fully. If you dont obey problems will come to you because you disabled and will start problems and then they will get mad and then you will get mad and just ruin everything. For example when i obey my parents no problems happen and they are happy. When i disobey it hurts them and they get mad and not happy. Then i get mad and then will start problems and ruin everything. Or if you disobey the teacher he will get mad and give you a bad grade instead of getting a just because you disobeyed him and then you will get mad and your parents will get mad and consequences will happen to you