that's how it is, everyone plugged into the matrix, even those who claim they are not, you can't live outside illusion only play in it fully conscious that it is just the matrix, there's no escape, no one gets out alive. the methodology for access into the mainframe lays in meta programming through several systems the best known is magick, however it is also the most dangerous.
once your brain is changed, which by the way is just side effect of magic, you can begin to engage in the programming of the matrix. symbolgy is the source code but can't be read or decoded with the intellect, in fact it has to be intuitive, which is why altered states help hack the matrix.
the dangers lay in subconscious desires that are put into the matrix's search engine, manifesting within your matrix, therefore hacking the universe is not recommended until you are in full control of your subconscious, which ironically would be conscious.
mind programs are available in many religious structures but offer no real freedom, the mystical ones offer transcendental awareness but no real power other than awareness. the successful meta programer has a considerable amount of power but is then humbled by it's apparent meaningless within light of the truth. this is what separates a white magician from a dark one, although those terms are arbitrary and have no inherent value in magic.
the best strategy within the matrix is to PLAY.