Soul gems?

I've been wondering for a while about a couple of things that someone here may be able and willing to clear up for me: 1. Thanos brought the sould gems together before (whatever an 'ionic laser is' the affair of the Infinity Gauntlet. Aside from incomplete development and writer limitations, why was 'the power come upon me' not evident then?

2. Getting INTO the Soul Gem seems easy. How did Warlock (he just appeared), the Silver Surfer and the Destroyer get out? (Pip & Gamora and Warlock once {does her commute?!?!?!?) were reincarnated into bodies outside, but how did their MINDS exit?

The same way a prmitve person could pick up a gun and use it as a weapon by hitting someone over the head with it. It's effective, but not a hint of it's true inherent power.

It wasn't until he gazed in a convenient cosmic pool or somesuch he got an inkling of the REAL power of the gems.